Remigio of Varagine's Fall from Grace

The cellarer's descent from heretic to traitor to scapegoat.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Heretic's Youth

A Zealous Follower Joining Dolcino Remigio of Varagine, a young Franciscan, becomes a follower of Fra Dolcino. He believes in the violent overthrow of the Church hierarchy. He participates in raids and battles. The Siege of Monte Rebello Remigio fights alongside Dolcino. He witnesses atrocities and commits them. But as the crusade closes in, he loses his nerve. Betrayal To save himself, Remigio betrays Dolcino's plans to the bishop's forces. He escapes with Salvatore and hides his past. He becomes a Benedictine monk, but his conscience is never at peace.

The Comfortable Cellarer

A Life of Ease The Abbot's Trust Remigio becomes cellarer, responsible for the abbey's provisions. He enjoys the good life, indulging in food and women. He has put his past behind him, or so he thinks. The Hidden Letters He still possesses letters from Dolcino, which he has hidden in the library. They are a constant reminder of his past. He lives in fear of discovery. The Threat of the Inquisition When Bernard Gui arrives, Remigio's fear intensifies. He knows that his past could be exposed at any moment. His attempts to cover his tracks only make things worse.

The Confession and Death

A Broken Man The Interrogation Bernard Gui interrogates Remigio, using Salvatore's testimony. Remigio initially tries to deny his past but eventually breaks down. He confesses to being a Dolcinian. False Confession to Murder Under threat of torture, Remigio also confesses to the murders at the abbey, though he is innocent. He does so to avoid pain. His confession is used to discredit the Franciscans. The End Remigio is taken to Avignon to be executed. He dies a heretic and a murderer, though he was neither. His story is a tragedy of a man who could not escape his past.

Years before the story

Eight years before the story

Afternoon of the fifth day