The Cathar Crusades and the Languedoc region
The region of Languedoc in the south of France is one of the most beautiful and relaxed places to visit in Europe. Seemingly permanently drenched in sunshine it is a popular tourist destination for visitors from all over the world, drawn not only to the sunshine and fine cuisine but the rich and unique history of the area.
Languedoc’s main claim to fame is that it was the centre of the Cather heresy in the 12th and 13th centuries that forms one of the most remarkable periods in the history of the Catholic church. The true nature of the Cathars is open to debate, but what is known is that at the start of the 13th century the Catholic Pope declared a Crusade against the Cathars.
The Crusade that then began was as much a civil war as it was a Crusade against a particular group. The Pope declared that any land won from Cathar noblemen was to become the property of the conquering lord, and accordingly the Northern French barons and lords waged bloody and open warfare against their southern rivals. Even the King of France complained to the Pope on the grounds that his Kingdom would be largely ripped apart but the Pope dismissed his complaints.
The Crusade was marked by a viciousness and ferocity that has rarely been matched and the Cathars had no chance. When asked to separate Catholics from Cathars, Arnaud, a Cistercian Abbot, is reported to have said “Kill them all. God will recognise His own.” He later wrote to the Pope reporting that 20,000 heretics had been killed regardless of rank, age etc.
Among the atrocities was the razing of the Cathedral of Saint-Nazaire, when Crusaders in Beziers burnt the Cathedral so that it collapsed onto the inhabitants taking shelter inside. This is just one of countless examples of supreme brutality on the part of the invaders.
Although the Cathars were brutally suppressed, to this day they retain a certain sense of romantic intrigue. Books like The Da Vinci Code and The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail have reignited interest in the Cathars and the rumour that a group of Cathars escaped the persecution with ‘le tresor Cathar’ has persisted ever since. Nowadays, it’s impossible to explore the Languedoc region, littered with razed castles and scarred fortifications without being slightly swept away in the romanticism of it all.
Of course, there is no chance that a grail of any sort is hidden in the Languedoc hillsides, so comprehensive was the Crusade that very little remained. Still, it is an incredible place to visit and the cities of Carcassonne and Beziers are completely unique (Carcassonne is the only remaining totally walled city in Western Europe). If you fancy a long holiday or even a flying visit in Languedoc take a look at Cresta for some fantastic deals on holidays, and leave a little space in your luggage, you never know what treasures you’ll be bringing back!
