Richer of Senones and the peculiar story of Sibylla of Marsal: pseudo-sanctity, mendicants and the end of the world in the Gesta Senoniensis Ecclesiae

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article examines the story of a thirteenth-century pseudo-saint named Sibylla of Marsal, as told by contemporary monk and chronicler Richer of Senones in Book 4 of his Gesta Senoniensis Ecclesiae. According to Richer, Sibylla achieved local fame as a holy woman by feigning sanctity using various props, including a demon costume that she wore to frighten villagers. By analysing the organisation of Book 4 of the Gesta, this study explores the context and motivations for Richer’s portrayal of Sibylla and first situates Sibylla within Richer’s apocalyptic worldview. Sibylla’s story also offered Richer an opportunity to denigrate the mendicant orders. Finally, Sibylla’s chapter in the Gesta reveals Richer’s distrust of emerging methods for discerning spirits.