Impact on Medieval Times
Nostradamus more commonly known as Michel de Nostredame during the Medieval period in which he lived, aroused much controversy, confusion and fear concerning his supposed ability to predict apocalyptic events. Nostradamus and more so the publication of his prophecies titled "Les Prophecies" in 1555, was the cause of much controversial speculation concerning the validity of his prophecies.
Many factions of medieval society perceived Nostradamus' work in a variety of ways including as being exceedingly heretical, fictitious and psychotic, whilst some revered his work and believed profoundly that his prophetic quatrains were spiritually inspired by supreme supernatural entities.
This controversy was major in the social development of Medieval France in which Nostradamus lived. This difference of opinion and more-so the fact that these opinions existed relatively cohesively, (apart from the anger of the Inquisition) was crucial in society's development as it meant that society had grown considerably from once being irrational in their persecution of those who were deemed to be associating with the devil to markedly tolerant of different societal beliefs.
Many factions of medieval society perceived Nostradamus' work in a variety of ways including as being exceedingly heretical, fictitious and psychotic, whilst some revered his work and believed profoundly that his prophetic quatrains were spiritually inspired by supreme supernatural entities.
This controversy was major in the social development of Medieval France in which Nostradamus lived. This difference of opinion and more-so the fact that these opinions existed relatively cohesively, (apart from the anger of the Inquisition) was crucial in society's development as it meant that society had grown considerably from once being irrational in their persecution of those who were deemed to be associating with the devil to markedly tolerant of different societal beliefs.
Satan's prophet...Heresy...Damnation
Although Nostradamus is known for having relatively positive relations with the Christianity, many during his time, particularly reverent Christian villagers and traditional clergy members deemed Nostradamus' prophecies as heretical and unholy. The common belief held amongst these people was that Nostradamus was "Satan's prophet". This was due to the cryptic nature of his prophecies and his unnamed divine entity to whom he frequently refers as the source for his apocalyptic predictions.
There were three main reasons which people against Nostradamus used against him as "Satan's Prophet". These included the unyielding belief that Nostradamus used divination and other satanic methods for his prophecies despite his denial that he never used such methods. Also the fact that Nostradamus obscured the name of his "informer" raised further suspicions concerning his spiritual relations as many maintained the belief that God or other holy entities gave their names to their prophets. Another reason which was maintained primarily by the clergy was that in his publication "Les Prophecies" he reversed the book of Revelations portraying the Anti Christ as the Saviour.
Historian John Hogue discusses this aspect of Nostradamus and his work whereby he states
"...Radical attempts to lift human consciousness always meet with violent opposition, particularly from those with vested interests in retaining the status quo. Throughout history men of vision have been subject to persecution..."
Hogue by doing so adequately discusses the difficulty Nostradamus faced when publishing his Quatrains as he faced violent opposition from those willing to accuse him of heresy despite the tolerant religious expression which was brewing around the time Nostradamus published his work.
There were three main reasons which people against Nostradamus used against him as "Satan's Prophet". These included the unyielding belief that Nostradamus used divination and other satanic methods for his prophecies despite his denial that he never used such methods. Also the fact that Nostradamus obscured the name of his "informer" raised further suspicions concerning his spiritual relations as many maintained the belief that God or other holy entities gave their names to their prophets. Another reason which was maintained primarily by the clergy was that in his publication "Les Prophecies" he reversed the book of Revelations portraying the Anti Christ as the Saviour.
Historian John Hogue discusses this aspect of Nostradamus and his work whereby he states
"...Radical attempts to lift human consciousness always meet with violent opposition, particularly from those with vested interests in retaining the status quo. Throughout history men of vision have been subject to persecution..."
Hogue by doing so adequately discusses the difficulty Nostradamus faced when publishing his Quatrains as he faced violent opposition from those willing to accuse him of heresy despite the tolerant religious expression which was brewing around the time Nostradamus published his work.
Fictitious prophecies...A Farse
Due to the metaphorical nature of Nostradamus' quatrains in his publication "Les Prophecies" many believed his prophecies to be false as he used a variety of different forms and classical languages to obscure the true meaning of his quatrains. This added to the broad and numerous interpretations of his quatrains which made several predictions applicable to actual events which were to come. Nostradamus throughout his work used several biblical allusions to add to the validity of his prophecies as medieval France centred around religion. However many people looked beyond this attempt and regardless deemed his work as fake.
The Bearer of the future
Whilst Nostradamus had his opposition, there were several factions of medieval society who believed profoundly in him and more-so his prophecies which were alleged to shed light on future events. Despite the broad metaphorical nature of his prophecies, people believed strongly that there lay truth behind his prophecies and that the details were deliberately hidden due to Nostradamus' fear of persecution by the inquisition which is supported by several bibliographical accounts of Nostradamus which exist today.
Many villagers were intrigued by the idea that Nostradamus could predict future events to the extent that word of his ability spread to higher orders of the medieval hierarchy including Queen Catherine Medici. Queen Catherine Medici, intrigued by Nostradamus' prophecies commissioned him to predict the future of their family. Villagers and castle dwellers were bewildered of this event and more-so were horrified of the tragic events which he foretold especially the cryptic description of the death of the Queen's son which eerily became a reality during a jousting event on Castle grounds which Nostradamus is believed to have predicted.
After this occurrence more people became aware of Nostradamus' abilities and believed profoundly in his prophecies which transcends medieval times to the modern world with many people associating his Quatrains with events that are currently happening in the 21st Century with particular hysteria concerning Armageddon in 2012.
Many villagers were intrigued by the idea that Nostradamus could predict future events to the extent that word of his ability spread to higher orders of the medieval hierarchy including Queen Catherine Medici. Queen Catherine Medici, intrigued by Nostradamus' prophecies commissioned him to predict the future of their family. Villagers and castle dwellers were bewildered of this event and more-so were horrified of the tragic events which he foretold especially the cryptic description of the death of the Queen's son which eerily became a reality during a jousting event on Castle grounds which Nostradamus is believed to have predicted.
After this occurrence more people became aware of Nostradamus' abilities and believed profoundly in his prophecies which transcends medieval times to the modern world with many people associating his Quatrains with events that are currently happening in the 21st Century with particular hysteria concerning Armageddon in 2012.