Massacre at Montsegur: A History of the Albiegensian Crusade

In 1208 Pope Innocent III called for a Crusade—this time, against a country of fellow Christians. The new enemy: Raymond VI, Count of Toulouse, prince of all the territories in southern France where the langue dвЂTMoc was spoken. Thus began the Albigensian Crusade, which culminated in 1244 at the mountain fortress of MontsГ©gur with the massacre of the Cathars, or “pure ones”—a faith more ancient than Roman Catholicism. This fascinating history captures all the drama of a conflict that threatened not only a religion but the very survival of the Languedoc itself as an autonomous region of France. In 1208 Pope Innocent Iii Called For A Crusade Against A Country Of Fellow-christians. The New Enemy Was Raymond Vi, Count Of Toulouse, One Of The Greatest Princes In Western Christendom, Premier Baron Of All The Territories In Southern France Where The Langue D'oc Was Spoken. So Began The Albigensian Crusade, Which Was To Culminte In 1244 With The Masacre Of Cathars At The Mountain Fortress Of Montségur.--back Cover. The Background Of The Crusade -- Heresy And Heretics -- The Pre-heretical Church -- The Campaign Of 1209 -- Simon De Montfort -- The Consecration And Failure Of The Crusade -- The King Of France -- The Final Years Of Occitan Independence -- The Church's Peace -- The Inquisition -- The Cathar Resistance -- The Siege Of Montségur -- Epilogue. Appendix A: A Catharist Ritual -- Appendix B: Preliminary Discourse Addressed To The Postulant By The Elder -- Appendix C: A Catharist Prayer -- Appendix D: Repressive Measures And Decrees Promulgated Against The Cathars By Councils Between 1179 And 1246 -- Appendix E: Sentences Of The Inquisition -- Appendix F: The Debate Between Izarn And Sicart -- Chronological Table. Zoé Oldenbourg. Originally Published: London : Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1961. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [402]-407) And Index. A best-selling history of the Third Crusade, when the Catholic Church waged war against heretics in its own ranks