Caputiati

CAPUTIATI, cɑ̄-pu´tî-ɑ̄´´tî ("hooded," "capuched"; also known as Paciferi and Blancs Chaperons): A society founded in 1183 at Puy-en Velay (Le Puy, 68 m. s.w. of Lyons) in the Auvergne by a poor artisan called Durand to oppose the fearful devastations caused by the mercenary and predatory bands of the "Brabancons" or "Cotereaux." Durand claimed that the Madonna had authorized him to do this; the members of the society were to wear a white dress with a capuche and a leaden image of the wonder-working Madonna of Puy. Organized after the manner of an ecclesiastical brotherhood, the Caputiati followed the royal troops and took bloody vengeance on the destroyers of peace. The society did not last long. Later reports, but little reliable, make its members rebels against State and Church, who, as is alleged, were routed about 1186 and condemned to do penance. Even in late times, from too implicit reliance on these reports, the Caputiati have been considered a sect opposed to the Church.

Herman Haupt.

Bibliography: A. Kluekhohn, Geschichte des Gottesfriedens, pp. 126 sqq., Leipsic, 1857; E. Sémichon, La Paix et la trève de Dieu, pp. 194, 390, Paris, 1857; L. Huberti, Studien zur Rechtsgeschichte des Gottes-und Landfriedens, i. 462 sqq., Ansbach, 1892; Legrand d’Aussy, in Notices et extraits des manuscrits de la Bibliothèque Nationale, tom, v., anno vii., pp. 290–293, Paris, 1798–99.