Peter Bernardino

PETER BERNARDINO. - A follower of Savonarola, b. in Florence in 1473, d. at Mirandola in 1502. A man of low condition, without learning but shrewd, through his assiduous attendance at Savonarola's sermons and the reading of his writings he had made himself familiar with the Bible; already in Savonarola's time he preached in the public squares. Upon the Dominican's death, he was elected head of some twenty of his popular followers, bound together in a secret league. He carried the master's doctrinal hints to erroneous expression, affirming that the Church had to be renewed by the sword and that after Savonarola's death no righteous man was left on earth. On his own authority he claimed to confer the unction of the Holy Spirit. His followers regarded him as a prophet and pope of the true Church; they prayed only in spirit, did not attend Mass, dressed poorly. Persecuted by the Council of Eight, on the denunciation of the Inquisition, he moved with his followers to Bologna and then to Mirandola, protected by Count Gian Francesco (nephew of the famous Giovanni Pico), at that moment besieged by his brothers. Once the count was defeated, P. B. with his sectarians fell into the hands of the victors: convicted of heretical doctrines and corrupt morals, he ended on the pyre with some of his followers.

Mario Bendiscioli