The Albigensian Crusade -

Question 1

What was the purpose of the Albigensian Crusade?

Answer 1

To exterminate the Cathar heresy in southern France and strengthen the Catholic Church’s control over the region

Question 2

Where does the term ‘Albigensian’ come from?

Answer 2

The city of Albi in southern France, where the heresy had a strong presence

Question 3

Why did Catharism spread effectively in Southern France?

Answer 3

Due to the diocesan structure of religious life, lax enforcement of Catholic orthodoxy, and support from local nobility

Question 4

What were the four dioceses in Southern France?

Answer 4

Narbonne, Bougres, Auch, and Bordeaux

Question 5

Who was Raymond VI?

Answer 5

Count of Toulouse, a powerful noble who was suspected of supporting Catharism

Question 6

How did Raymond VI make it difficult for the church to suppress Catharism?

Answer 6

By tolerating Catharism, expropriating Church lands, and being hostile to papal influence

Question 7

Who replaced Guy Carcassonne after his death in 1224?

Answer 7

Bernard-Raimon, the son of a Cathar perfecti

Question 8

Who was sent to strengthen the Cistercian commission in Languedoc?

Answer 8

Arnauld Amalric, Diego of Osma, and Dominic Guzman

Question 9

Who was Pierre de Castelnau?

Answer 9

A Papal Legate sent to Languedoc to negotiate with Raymond VI and suppress Catharism

Question 10

What happened to Pierre de Castelnau in 1208?

Answer 10

He was assassinated, allegedly by a knight in the service of Raymond VI

Question 11

What was Innocent III’s response to the assassination of Pierre de Castelnau?

Answer 11

He excommunicated Raymond VI, declared him deposed, and offered ‘plenary indulgence’ to those who campaigned against Toulouse

Question 12

What changed Raymond VI’s relationship with the Church in 1209?

Answer 12

He made peace with the Church, was reconciled, and took up the cross, joining the crusade against Catharism

Question 13

What effect did Raymond VI’s reconciliation have on the crusade?

Answer 13

It stopped the crusading expedition from attacking his lands in Quercynois and redirected its focus on other Cathar strongholds

Question 14

Who were the Trencavels?

Answer 14

A noble family in southern France, rivals of the Count of Toulouse, and rulers of territories with a strong Cathar presence

Question 15

Why was it strange for the crusaders to target the Trencavels?

Answer 15

Because Viscount Raymond-Roger, the Trencavel leader, was not a heretic, but his lands were full of Cathar sympathizers

Question 16

What happened during the capture of Beziers?

Answer 16

Cathars and Catholics were both murdered; the city was taken brutally, with an estimated 7,000-20,000 killed

Question 17

What was the outcome of the siege of Carcassonne?

Answer 17

The city surrendered after a two-week siege, its inhabitants were spared, and Viscount Raymond-Roger was imprisoned, where he died shortly after

Question 18

Who became the leader of the Trencavel lands after the capture of Carcassonne?

Answer 18

Simon de Montfort, a French nobleman, who was granted the lands by the Church and took up the crusade against Catharism

Question 19

How did Simon de Montfort subdue the Trencavel lands?

Answer 19

Through military force, aggressive persecution of heretics, and by replacing local lords with French nobles loyal to the Church

Question 20

What happened after the capture of Minerve?

Answer 20

140 Cathar Perfecti were burned at the stake after refusing to renounce their faith

Question 21

Why did Raymond VI appeal to Innocent III?

Answer 21

o improve his situation with the Church, address the breakdown of relations with Arnald-Amalric, and seek support against Simon de Montfort’s encroachments on his territories

Question 22

What was the outcome of Raymond VI’s appeal to Innocent III?

Answer 22

A new legate, Thedis, was appointed, but it made little difference to Raymond’s situation, as the Church continued to support Simon de Montfort’s actions

Question 23

What happened at the Council of Narbonne in 1211?

Answer 23

The council did not go as planned, and Raymond VI was excommunicated for a second time, further strengthening Simon de Montfort’s position

Question 24

What was the outcome of the battle at St Martin-les-Landes in autumn 1211?

Answer 24

Raymond VI suffered a costly defeat at the hands of Simon de Montfort, significantly weakening his military power

Question 25

What territories did Raymond VI control after his defeat at St Martin-les-Landes?

Answer 25

Only the city of Toulouse and the castle of Montauban, while Simon de Montfort continued to expand his influence

Question 26

Who succeeded Simon de Montfort after his death in 1218?

Answer 26

His son, Amaury de Montfort, who continued his father’s efforts against Catharism and Raymond VI

Question 27

What happened during the siege of Toulouse in 1218?

Answer 27

Simon de Montfort was killed by a stone from a siege engine, and Raymond VI’s son, with Aragonese help, recaptured Toulouse, turning the tide of the crusade

Question 28

How did Raymond VII regain control of his father’s territories?

Answer 28

By launching a counter-offensive against Amaury de Montfort, recapturing key territories and forcing Amaury to abandon his claims in Languedoc

Question 29

What were the concerns of Pope Honorius III about Languedoc?

Answer 29

That Catharism might continue to flourish with the region under native rulers, and that the Church’s efforts to assert control would be undermined

Question 30

Who did Louis VIII campaign against in the south?

Answer 30

Prince Louis campaigned against Raymond VI’s forces but was unable to retake Toulouse before his death in 1226

Question 31

What were the terms of the Peace of Paris in 1229?

Answer 31

Raymond VII retained most of his lands, cooperated in suppressing heresy, dismantled castles supporting heresy, and his daughter married Louis IX’s brother, Alphonse of Poitiers, securing Capetian control over the region

Question 32

How did the Albigensian Crusade affect the religious and political life in Languedoc?

Answer 32

It contributed to a fundamental redrawing of religious and political life in the region, with the extermination of Catharism, the rise of the Dominican Order, and the increased influence of the French monarchy and the Catholic Church