Who were the Flagellants and why did they punish themselves?

The Flagellants were members of a religious movement that emerged in Europe during the 14th century, particularly in response to the Black Death. They believed that self-inflicted pain and public displays of penance would appease God and seek forgiveness for the sins of humanity, which they thought had led to the plague. By whipping themselves and performing acts of extreme asceticism, they aimed to demonstrate their devotion and rectify moral decay. This movement eventually faced criticism from the Church and was largely suppressed.