The Albigensian Crusade - Detailed Flashcards
What was Catharism?
Catharism was a Christian heretical movement that emerged in the 12th century in the Languedoc region of France. It rejected the Catholic Church’s teachings on the sacraments, hierarchy, and the authority of the Pope. Cathars believed in dualism, where the material world was considered evil, and the spiritual world was considered good.
What led to the Albigensian Crusade?
In 1208, Pierre de Castlenau, a Papal Legate sent to Languedoc to investigate heresy, was assassinated. Pope Innocent III excommunicated Raymond VI, Count of Toulouse, and declared a crusade against the Cathars. The Albigensian Crusade was launched in 1209 and lasted for more than two decades.
What were the consequences of the Albigensian Crusade?
The Albigensian Crusade led to the suppression of Catharism and the establishment of the Inquisition in southern France. The region was devastated by warfare, and many cities and towns were destroyed. The Catholic Church became more centralized, and the Pope’s authority was strengthened. The nobility in Languedoc was weakened, and the region was integrated more closely into the French kingdom.
How did Catharism survive and spread in Southern France?
Catharism was able to spread and survive in Southern France because of the diocesan structure of religious life. The region was split into several dioceses, and there was no single ecclesiastical authority in the area. Cathars were able to find support among the local nobility and merchants, who were opposed to the centralized power of the Catholic Church.
Who was Raymond VI, and what was his role in the Albigensian Crusade?
Raymond VI was the Count of Toulouse and a supporter of Catharism. He made it difficult for the Church to suppress Catharism in his lands by tolerating Cathars and expropriating Church lands. He was hostile to papal influence in Languedoc and was excommunicated by Pope Innocent III. Raymond VI’s actions were one of the immediate causes of the Albigensian Crusade.
Who were the key figures in the Albigensian Crusade?
The key figures in the Albigensian Crusade included Pope Innocent III, who declared the crusade and offered plenary indulgences to those who fought in it. Arnaud Amalric, the head of the Cistercians, was sent to Languedoc to lead the crusade. Diego of Osma and Dominic Guzman were also sent to the region to assist with the suppression of heresy.
What was the role of the Cistercians in the Albigensian Crusade?
The Cistercians played a significant role in the Albigensian Crusade, as they were tasked with strengthening the Church’s influence in southern France. The Cistercians were one of the most powerful monastic orders in Europe, and they were known for their commitment to orthodoxy and their close relationship with the Pope. The Cistercians were successful in converting many of the local nobility and merchants to Catholicism, which weakened Catharism’s support base.
What was the Inquisition, and how did it relate to the Albigensian Crusade?
The Inquisition was a system of ecclesiastical courts set up by the Catholic Church to investigate and suppress heresy. The Inquisition was established in southern France in the aftermath of the Albigensian Crusade to root out the remaining Cathars and ensure that heresy did not take root again in the region. The Inquisition was notorious for its use of torture and its harsh treatment of heretics. The Inquisition was effective in suppressing Catharism and other heretical movements in southern France, but it also created an atmosphere of fear and suspicion that lasted for centuries.
Why did Innocent III launch the crusade against heresy?
Innocent III launched the crusade against heresy in southern France because he was concerned about the spread of Cathar theology in papal lands. He believed it was his duty as Pope to root out heresy and ensure the souls of the faithful were saved. He also sought to raise the standards of the Church by improving ecclesiastical organization and pastoral care.
What was the immediate cause of the Albigensian Crusade?
The immediate cause of the Albigensian Crusade was the murder of Pierre de Castlenau, a Papal Legate sent to investigate heresy in Languedoc. Pope Innocent III excommunicated Raymond VI, Count of Toulouse, and declared a crusade against the Cathars.
What was the role of Raymond VI in the Albigensian Crusade?
Raymond VI was the Count of Toulouse and a supporter of Catharism. He initially resisted the Church’s efforts to suppress Catharism in his lands but eventually made peace with the Church and was reconciled in 1209. Despite this, tensions between Raymond and the crusaders continued to grow, and he was eventually excommunicated for the second time.
What was the outcome of the capture of Beziers?
The capture of Beziers was notoriously brutal, with both Cathars and Catholics murdered alike. The capture of Carcassonne followed, and its inhabitants were spared. The crusaders then turned their attention to the Trencavels, despite their leader, Viscount Raymond-Roger, not being a heretic. Simon de Montfort, the Northern French leader, was made the leader of the Trencavel lands.
Who was Simon de Montfort, and what was his role in the Albigensian Crusade?
Simon de Montfort was a Northern French leader who was made the leader of the Trencavel lands after the capture of Carcassonne. He aggressively persecuted heretics in Languedoc and subdued most of the Trencavel lands by 1210.
What was the outcome of the council held at Narbonne in 1211?
The council held at Narbonne in 1211 did not go as planned. Peter II of Aragon received de Montfort’s homage for Trencavel lands, which upset Raymond VI. The Papal Legates accused Raymond of failing to fulfill his obligations to the Church, and relations between Arnald-Amalric and Raymond had completely broken down. War between the crusaders and Raymond was inevitable.
What was the role of the Papal Legates in the Albigensian Crusade?
The Papal Legates were responsible for investigating heresy in Languedoc and supporting the crusaders. They accused Raymond VI of failing to fulfill his obligations to the Church and were instrumental in excommunicating him for the second time. Thedise was appointed as a new legate to determine whether Raymond was guilty of heresy and responsible for the murder of Peter of Castlenau. Though unable to convict, they did find grounds to excommunicate Raymond for the second time.
