In 1231, Pope Gregory IX formalized the Papal Inquisition to combat heresy within the Church, particularly targeting movements like the Cathars and Waldensians that challenged Catholic doctrine. This institution aimed to identify and eliminate heretical beliefs through investigation and trial, significantly impacting the religious landscape of medieval Europe. The Inquisition's methods and consequences would shape the relationship between the Church and its followers for centuries, leading to widespread persecution and a legacy of fear.

The establishment of the Papal Inquisition in 1231 influenced narratives of judgment and confession in poetry. This contributed to the moral allegories and fears expressed in late medieval verse, as poets like Dante and Petrarch navigated the complexities of faith and orthodoxy in their works.