Albigensian Crusade

Quick Facts: Who was Albigensian Crusade?

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Albigensian Crusade

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A 13th-century military and ideological campaign to eradicate Catharism from Southern France.

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Origins & Early Life

The Albigensian Crusade (French: Croisade des albigeois), also known as the Cathar Crusade (1209–1229), was a military and ideological campaign initiated by Pope Innocent III to eliminate Catharism in Languedoc, what is now southern France. The Crusade was prosecuted primarily by the French crown and promptly took on a political aspect. It resulted in the significant reduction of practicing Cathars and a realignment of the County of Toulouse with the French crown. The distinct regional culture of Languedoc was also diminished. The Cathars originated from an anti-materialist reform movement within the Bogomil churches of the Balkans calling for what they saw as a return to the Christian message of perfection, poverty and preaching, combined with a rejection of the physical.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The reforms were a reaction against the perceived scandalous and dissolute lifestyles of the Catholic clergy. Their theology, Gnostic in many ways, was basically dualist. Several of their practices, especially their belief in the inherent evil of the physical world, conflicted with the doctrines of the Incarnation of Christ and Catholic sacraments. This led to accusations of Gnosticism and attracted the ire of the Catholic establishment. They became known as the Albigensians because many adherents were from the city of Albi and the surrounding area in the 12th and 13th centuries.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Between 1022 and 1163, the Cathars were condemned by eight local church councils, the last of which, held at Tours, declared that all Albigenses should be put into prison and have their property confiscated. The Third Lateran Council of 1179 repeated the condemnation. Innocent III's diplomatic attempts to roll back Catharism were met with little success. After the murder of his legate Pierre de Castelnau in 1208, and suspecting that Raymond VI, Count of Toulouse, was responsible, Innocent III declared a crusade against the Cathars. He offered the lands of the Cathar heretics to any French nobleman willing to take up arms.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1022: 1022 Milestone — Between 1022 and 1163, the Cathars were condemned by eight local church councils, the last of which, held at Tours, declared that all Albigenses should be put into prison and have their property confiscated.
2. 1179: 1179 Milestone — The Third Lateran Council of 1179 repeated the condemnation.
3. 1208: 1208 Milestone — After the murder of his legate Pierre de Castelnau in 1208, and suspecting that Raymond VI, Count of Toulouse, was responsible, Innocent III declared a crusade against the Cathars.
4. 1209: 1209 Milestone — The Albigensian Crusade (French: Croisade des albigeois), also known as the Cathar Crusade (1209–1229), was a military and ideological campaign initiated by Pope Innocent III to eliminate Catharism in Languedoc, what is now southern France.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Albigensian Crusade

True or False: “The Albigensian Crusade was solely a religious endeavor with no political ramifications for the region of Languedoc.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The crusade quickly took on a significant political aspect, leading to the realignment of the County of Toulouse with the French crown and diminishing the distinct regional culture.

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