BERTHOLD OF REGENSBURG°

BERTHOLD OF REGENSBURG° (Ratisbon; before 1210–1272), Franciscan friar, the most celebrated preacher in Germany in the Middle Ages. From 1240 Berthold traveled throughout the German-speaking countries. In 1263 he began to preach the crusade. His sermons, delivered in fields or public squares, drew huge crowds. While preaching against Christian heresies, such as those held by the Cathari and Waldenses, he included the Jews in his attacks. Berthold declared that the heretics together with their allies the Jews, were so powerful that, but for the emperor's opposition, they would have gained control over Germany. He even predicted that a time would come when Christians would have to defend themselves against them in the same way as against the "infidels" (the Muslims). Berthold strongly opposed the practice of usury by the Jews whom he also accused of proselytizing among Christians. -BIBLIOGRAPHY: DHGE, 8 (1935), S.V. Berthold de Ratisbonne; R. Iannucci, Treatment of the Capital Sins and the Decalogue in the German Sermons of Berthold von Regensburg (1942), includes bibliography. (Bernhard Blumenkranz)