The Albigensian Crusades

Imagine a time in which the principles and doctrine of the Christine faith were little understood by most people, and what little you understood of your own religion was being challenged and contested by others - "unbelievers." Imagine controversies erupting in churches because of the doctrinal disputes. Imagine a host of different preachers on the streets trying to win audiences and adherents.  This happened in the early 13^th century, when the problem of heresy was becoming widespread in Europe.  In southwest France, the largest group of heretics were the "Cathars." Among their shared beliefs, they held there to be two, very different Gods: one who was good and ruled over the spiritual world; and, the other, who was evil and ruled over the material world.  The Cathars attracted many followers in the south; within time, they were viewed as an ‘evil rival’ to the Catholic Church.  The emergence of this heresy, and the religious controversies sparked by it, eventually lead to religious warfare.

Cathars expelled from Carcassonne

The Albigensian Crusades (1209–1229) were a 20-year military campaign called by Pope Innocent III on behalf of the Catholic Church to eliminate the Cathar heresy in region of Languedoc. This was made possible because there was no separation of Church and State at this time. Therefore, large armies might be mobilized in the name of faith, and such wars justified along religious grounds.

Many cities were effected by these Crusades: many of these places we visited this semester ~ Toulouse, Carcassonne, Albi, Narbonne, and Moissac.

Many heretics tried to flee and hide from the crusaders. Some even came to Ambialet to hide in the "Cluzels" ~ shelters dug in the earth to provide protection. There were over 200 Cluzels in the Ambialet area. Unfortunately, neighbors and church officials found most of these heretics and brought them to Inquisitors.  As well, the Trencavel family, who long ruled this region, lost power because of their Cathar sympathies.

Contrary to what a lot of people think, the Albigensian Crusades did not greatly reduce the Cathars or their influence.  Some have argued that, in fact, the opposite happened.  What did eventually have effect was the creation and institutionalization of the Medieval Inquisition - a tribunal established by the Roman papacy, in the aftermath of the Albigensian Crusades, to deal with the continuing problem of heresy.  

Religion has always been and always will be of importance in Southern France. 

 <3

[Joseph R. Strayer, The Albigensian Crusades]

["Le Cluzel" in Ambialet prestígíeux et secret, p. 21]