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Waldhausen, Konrad von

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

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Waldensis, Thomas, D.D.

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Waldo (or Valdo), Peter

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an Augustinian monk of the 14th century, who ranks as one of the precursors of John Huss (q.v.). He was a native of Austria, and labored from 1345 to 1360 in Vienna as a preacher. His fame and influence as a powerful preacher of repentance led to his being called to Leitmeritz, in Bohemia, by the emperor Charles IV, acting in his capacity as king of that country. He soon afterwards began to hold services in the Church of St. Gall at Prague, and subsequently in the public market-place of the city. His efforts were directed towards a moral and religious improvement of the people, but did not assail either the doctrines or the fundamental rules of discipline of the Church. But as his influence increased, and multitudes thronged to his meetings to listen to his bold denunciations of all forms of sin, some opposition began to manifest itself; and when he attacked the orders of mendicant friars and uncovered the hypocrisy and depraved character of the monks, he drew down upon himself the vengeance of those powerful enemies. Twenty-nine charges were laid against him before the archbishop of Prague, by Dominican and Franciscan monks, in 1364; but no complainant appeared at the trial consequently ordered, and Waldhausen succeeded in establishing a satisfactory defense. Effort was made in the same year, by the archbishop of Austria, to recall Waldhausen to Vienna, but ineffectually. He died in Prague in 1369. See Palacky, Gesch. d Bohmnen, 3, 1, 161 sq.; 225, note; Jordan, Vorldufer d. Hussitenthums in Bohmen; Neander, Kirchengesch. vol. 6; Herzog, Real- Encyklop. s.v.