The Albigensian Crusade: A History of Religious Violence

The Origins of the Crusade

The Albigensian Crusade was a religious war that was launched by the Catholic Church against the Cathars, a Christian sect that was deemed heretical by the Church. The Cathars were a dualist sect that believed that the material world was evil and that the spiritual world was good. They also rejected the authority of the Catholic Church and its sacraments.

The Cathars were concentrated in the Languedoc region of southern France, which was a prosperous and independent region. The Church had long been trying to suppress the Cathars, but it was not until the early 13th century that it was able to launch a full-scale crusade against them.

The Course of the Crusade

The Albigensian Crusade began in 1209, when Pope Innocent III called for a crusade against the Cathars. The crusade was led by Simon de Montfort, a ruthless and ambitious nobleman. Montfort and his army quickly conquered the Languedoc region and massacred many of the Cathars.

The Cathars fought back bravely, but they were no match for the well-equipped and experienced army of Montfort. By 1229, the Cathars had been defeated and their strongholds had been destroyed.

The Aftermath of the Crusade

The Albigensian Crusade had a devastating impact on the Languedoc region. The war caused widespread destruction and death, and it led to the displacement of thousands of people. The crusade also had a profound impact on the Cathars. The sect was nearly wiped out, and its beliefs were driven underground.

The Albigensian Crusade is a reminder of the dangers of religious intolerance and violence. It is a story of how a religious war can be used to justify the persecution and killing of innocent people.

Sidebar

Key Figures

• Pope Innocent III
• Simon de Montfort
• Raymond VI of Toulouse
• Raymond VII of Toulouse

Key Events

• 1209: Pope Innocent III calls for a crusade against the Cathars.
• 1215: Simon de Montfort leads the crusade into the Languedoc region.
• 1229: The Cathars are defeated and their strongholds are destroyed.

Further Reading

• The Albigensian Crusade by Steven Runciman
• The Cathars: A History by Malcolm Barber
• The Medieval World by Barbara Tuchman