Flagellants, medieval religious sects that included public beatings with whips as part of their discipline and devotional practice. Flagellant sects arose in northern Italy and had become large and widespread by about 1260. Groups marched through European towns, whipping each other to atone for their sins and calling on the populace to repent. They gained many new members in the mid-14th century while the Black Death was ravaging Europe. Though periodically suppressed by the authorities, flagellant sects enjoyed sporadic resurgences into the 16th century.

flagellants during the Black Death Flagellants belonging to the Brothers of the Cross scourging themselves during the Black Death, which they believed was punishment from God for people's sins. Photos.com/Getty Images