Antimendicancy in Cetral Europe and bishop Robert of Olomouc in historiography

Bishop Robert of Olomouc is an early, prominent opponent of the stigmata of St. Francis and the first case of antimendicancy in East Central Europe, on the basis of three papal bulls from the thirteenth century. Through a close reading of the works of Bishop Robert, this paper will argue that the public denunciation of stigmata was not characteristic of the Bishop himself, but rather symptomatic of inter-mendicant conflict in the region. Beyond the accusations of antifraternal activity, mendicant orders spread actively and embedded themselves in the region unfettered, both before and after Robert held the bishopric, developing at the same speed as other monastic institutions in the region. However, the Dominican friars, who were strongly supported by the Polish province, were drawn into competition with the Franciscans in their shared duty to preach and administer various crusades. Where other attempts had failed, this conflict was subsequently utilized as a powerful political tool to finally remove Robert from the bishopric.