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Encyclopedia of Religion entry forAlbigensesA general name given to sectaries who were found in great numbers in the district of Province in Southern France at the beginning of the thirteenth century. One of the districts of Languedoc, Albigeois, of which Albi was the capital, seems to have given them their name. They were regarded as a Manichaean body and seem to have included adherents of the Cathari, the Waldenses, and the PaulIcians, who had congregated in one district from various quarters. What their doctrines were, and to what extent they were heretical, it is difficult to say, since we have for the most part only the statements of their opponents to guide us. But in any case they were such as to bring them into collision with the Church of Rome; and from this and the further fact that they were nicknamed " the good people " we may infer that they were opposed to pontifical government and sought to live the simple life of the Apostles. They were condemned by Pope Calixtus II. in 1119 at Toulouse, and by Pope Innocent II. in 1139. In 1209 Simon de Montfort was commissioned by Pope Innocent III. to conduct a crusade against them. He was killed at the siege of Toulouse in 1218, but the crusade continued. The war itself changed its character, and peace was made in 1229 by which Louis IX. of France added to his possessions. But there was no peace for the Albigenses. They were handed over to the tender mercies of the Inquisition, and after suffering cruel torture and persecution were practically exterminated by A.D. 1244. See J. H. Blunt; Prot. Diet. citations: Encyc. of Rel., Canney
article created 2006-04-12 , last updated 2006-04-12 |
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