God, Truce of

God, Truce of

▪ ecclesiastical decree
Latin  Treuga Dei, or Treva Dei,  

      a measure by the medieval Roman Catholic Church to suspend warfare during certain days of the week and during the period of certain church festivals and Lent.

      It is traceable to at least the Synod of Elne (1027), which suspended all warfare from Saturday night until prime on Monday. By 1042 the truce extended from Wednesday evening to Monday morning in every week and also, in most places, lasted during the seasons of Lent and Advent, the three great vigils and feasts of the Blessed Virgin, and those of the 12 apostles and a few other saints. The Truce of God was decreed for Flanders at the Synod of Thérouanne (1063) and was instituted in southern Italy in 1089, probably through Norman influence. The bishop of Liège introduced it in Germany in 1082, and three years later a synod held at Mainz in the presence of the emperor Henry IV extended it to the whole empire. It did not extend to England, where the strength of the monarchy made it unnecessary. The popes took its direction into their own hands toward the end of the 11th century; and the first decree of the Council of Clermont (1095) proclaimed a weekly truce for all Christendom. The Truce of God was reaffirmed by many councils, such as that held at Reims in 1119 and the Lateran councils of 1123, 1139, and 1179. The Council of Clermont prescribed that the oath of adherence to the truce be taken every three years by all men above the age of 12, whether noble, burgess, villein, or serf. The results of these peace efforts were perhaps surprisingly mediocre, but it must be borne in mind that not only was the military organization of the dioceses always very imperfect, but Continental feudalism, so long as it retained political power, was inherently hostile to the principle and practice of private peace. The Truce of God was most powerful in the 12th century, but with the 13th its influence waned as the kings gradually gained control over the nobles and substituted the king's peace for that of the church.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Truce of God — • A temporary suspension of hostilities, as distinct from the Peace of God which is perpetual Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Truce of God     Truce of God      …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • God — /god/, n., v., godded, godding, interj. n. 1. the one Supreme Being, the creator and ruler of the universe. 2. the Supreme Being considered with reference to a particular attribute: the God of Islam. 3. (l.c.) one of several deities, esp. a male… …   Universalium

  • God, Peace of — Latin  Pax Dei         a movement led by the medieval church, and later by civil authorities, to protect ecclesiastical property and women, priests, pilgrims, merchants, and other noncombatants from violence from the 10th to the 12th century.… …   Universalium

  • Truce of God — Truce Truce, n. [OE. trewes, triwes, treowes, pl. of trewe a truce, properly, pledge of fidelity, truth, AS. tre[ o]w fidelity, faith, troth. See {True}.] 1. (Mil.) A suspension of arms by agreement of the commanders of opposing forces; a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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  • truce of god — Usage: usually capitalized T & capitalized G Etymology: translation of Medieval Latin Treuga Dei : the cessation of hostilities between armies or individuals during part of the week (as from Wednesday evening to Monday morning) and during various …   Useful english dictionary

  • Truce of God — Latin Treuga Dei, or Treva Dei. In the 10c Wido, bishop of Puy, persuaded knights and peasants to swear to protect Church property and not to plunder. At a more formal level, it can be traced back to the *Synod of Elne in 1027, which suspended… …   Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases

  • god's truce — noun Usage: capitalized G & usually capitalized T : truce of god …   Useful english dictionary

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