BIZZOCHI and BIZZOCHE. — Men and women (also called Bizzoco, Bizzochero, Bizzocaro, Pinzocaro) who in the 13th and 14th centuries led a devout life and wore the religious habit while remaining in the world; they generally belonged to the Third Order of s. Francesco (cf. G. Boccaccio, Nov. 24ᵃ, 2). They were already widespread in central Italy in the 13th century and show considerable Beghine (v.). Mingling with the people, they at first exercised, through their simple and poor way of life, a salutary influence on morals (Vita di Cola di Rienzo: “he wore decent clothing like a bizuoco, not these ostentatious garments”), promoted piety and concord, devoted themselves to caring for the sick, and practised hospitality. In the 14th century they appear organized in associations; at times they gathered into communities, taking vows of chastity and poverty, or else, without vows, retaining their own possessions.
The name seems to derive from the Late Latin bizochus,
GVE OF THE BOOKS CENSURED
by the Faculty of Theology of
Paris, with the second
and third and Ace
cession.
Also the Edict issued by the most Christian
King Henry the Second of this name
concerning the said
censured books.
Rome apud Antonium Bladum.
M. D. XLIX.
(phot. Eur. Cott.)
BLADO — Frontispiece of the catalogue of books prohibited by the University of Paris, Rome, 1549. — Copy in the Vatican Library.
probably from the grey or bizzo colour (Latin bisius, French bis) in which they dressed; others derive the term from bisscia, and others from the German Bisserchen, diminutive of Büsser, penitent.
The women formed small communities under the guidance of Dominican, Franciscan, and Augustinian friars, attending the churches of their Order when they did not have one of their own; and they soon acquired monasteries of their own.
The men maintained a freer way of life than the women for a longer period; they were included under the generic name continentes. In Fraticelli (v.). Various groups allowed themselves to be led into heterodox doctrines, especially concerning poverty and chastity, and loudly opposed the luxury of the higher clergy. They sided with the extremist Spirituals of the Franciscan Order, and were condemned first by Giovanni XXII in 1318 and later suppressed by the Inquisition.
Outside Italy, the women’s movement is identified with that of the Beguines (v.). Emidio da Ascoli