Crusade Against the Cathars took place in the 1200s in Occitanie. Back then, France did not exist as the country we know today. There were regional dukes and counts who controlled different areas. The crusade against the Cathars was both a war of religion and a war of conquest.

As you listen to this episode, you'll understand how this crusade against the Cathrars is how much of Occitanie became part of France.

Book recommended in this episode: Massacre at Montségur by Zoé Oldenbourg.

Today the landscape is breathtaking and Cathar Country is a wonderful place to visit any time of year because the weather is so pleasant there. It’s also one of those places in the south of France where real estate prices are still reasonable for those of you who are thinking about finding your place in the sun in France.

Episode Page | Show Notes | Transcript

[00:00:00] Intro
[00:02:42] Main show
[00:03:02] Also listen to the episode about the beliefs and lifestyle of Cathars
[00:03:51] The 1200s in Occitanie
[00:04:37] In the 1200s France did not exist as we know it today
[00:05:11] How did the war begin?
[00:05:58] Attempts to stop it
[00:07:31] An army was created
[00:08:51] Arnaud Amaury, the Monk at the head of the crusade
[00:09:19] An army makes its way dowh the Rhone and towards Béziers
[00:10:58] The Siege of Béziers
[00:12:15] “Kill them all, God will know”
[00:12:55] Crusade or Genocide?
[00:13:30] Roger Trencavel of Carcassonne
[00:15:02] Allies refused
[00:17:02] Seeking refuge within the walls of Carcassonne
[00:19:01] Trencavel gives himself up to save his people
[00:20:12] Simon de Montfort
[00:21:19] Simon de Montfort takes Carcassonne
[00:22:47] Lavaur
[00:23:43] Dame Guiraude
[00:25:22] They took Lavaur
[00:26:17] Toulouse
[00:27:09] Simon de Montfort takes Toulouse
[00:27:34] The Revolt of the Barons
[00:28:36] Pierre of Aragon is killed
[00:29:17] Third revolt in Toulouse
[00:31:04] Simon de Montfort dies
[00:33:12] The Treaty of Meaux
[00:34:25] Raymond VII diese
[00:35:40] War ends. Cathars laying low
[00:36:03] Pope’s still not happy
[00:36:59] The First Inquisition
[00:38:59] Roger de Pereille
[00:39:59] Montségur
[00:41:20] Marker
[00:42:15] The Siege of Montségur
[00:44:32] Montségur is breached
[00:45:46] The end of the Cathars
[00:47:03] Visiting Montségur today
[00:50:32] Book about Montségur
[00:51:39] Patrons and donors make this podcast possible!
[00:53:07] Get ready for your own great trip to France with Annie
[00:53:42] French expression of the week
[00:57:18] French news
[00:59:07] Travel news
[01:01:45] Personal update
[01:03:32] Annie's test drive
[01:04:59] Next week on the podcast

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