Crusade Against The Cathars:

.

Introduction: the war in Iraq has focused some attention on the history of the Christian Crusades in the "Holy Land" of the Middle East. However, there were also Christian Crusades in Europe as well most notably those being the German crusade against the "Pagan Frieslanders" and that of the Teutonic Knights against the "Pagan Balts". Most infamous of Christian Crusades were that of the French against the Cathars and people of the Languedoc. The below provides you with some information of interest to lead you into further study of this Crusade and Catharism....leading toward more knowledge of the advent of Occitan Cultural Renaissance and in time a contemporary Occitan Nationalist Movement. You will I hope keep in mind, some comparative interest regards remembering the period of the Crusade against the Cathars is of time of our 'Age of Llywelyn Fawr'.
.
A Warning: Cathar wisdom and beliefs has been "contaminated" by some (not all) Anglo - American "New Age Nonsense" also books as Holy Blood, Holy Grail and of late the Da Vinci Code, whilst being "good reads" have also distorted much to do with the Cathar faith and possible "Hermetic knowledge''. However, I do not entirely wish to pour scorn on the "Esoteric Hermetic Mysteries" or their modern equivalent writings in factual research or in fictional endeavours. I would personally promote an interest in the "Esoteric Hermetic Mysteries" as such does tend to "open ones mind" however, I would advise all before beginning such studious quest into ancient mysteries, to read Umberto Eco's Foucault's Pendulum. Further, I advise before deep study of Cathar beliefs then perhaps a good grounding reading should be made of historical writing on the Albigensian Crusade. After which be as "Esoterically Hermetic" as you please and have need to be and why not? I am!

.

Some good reads; first The Yellow Cross by Rene Weis, for some proper history. The HB&HG by Henry Lincoln and companions, for some Esoteric Mystery. Last but not least the ''Cathar Interest'' best seller in recent years, Labyrinth by Kate Mosse. There are many other such books on the Crusades against the Cathars and Cather Faith and Mysteries. SEE ON WEB.
.

.

Montsegur

"Fortress for the Victor - Temple for the Defeated". The Poet Joe Bousquet.

.

On 1 March 1244, Pierre-Roger Mirepoix emerged from the fortress and negotiated a fifteen day truce at the end of which Montsegur was to be surrendered. The Catholic troops gave the Cathar forces generous terms. The mercenaries would be allowed to leave with their arms. Any Cathars who abjured their heresy would be forgiven. Lords and ladies, knights, soldiers, craftsmen, servants, would be allowed to depart after being deposed by the Inquisition and abjuring Cathar beliefs. Most of the Cathar perfecti declined the offer, and twenty-six mercenaries, knights, soldiers and followers actually asked for consolamentum on March 13th--the spring equinox. This would guarantee their death at the end of the truce.

.

Cathars who took 'REDEMPTION' on pain of torture or burning, thereafter were forced to wear the yellow ''Heretics Cross''. Much in the same way Jews were forced to wear the 'Star of David' by medieval Muslims and Christians, and later in the 20th century by the Nazis in Occupied Europe during late 1930's and 1940's until conclusion of WWII.

.

At some point, either during the truce or before, or perhaps at two separate occasions, two or four Cathars snuck out of the fortress and descended down the steep northern-eastern slope, carrying with them some sort of valuable objects. Because many of the French Catholic troops were locals of dubious loyalty pressed into service, the Cathars found it easy to slip through the enemy lines. Their fate and destination is now a subject of myth and legend. It is, however, generally believed that the cache consisting of monetary valuables - the Cathar Church treasure and that it was smuggled from Montsegur and made its way to Cathar bishops in Italy where it was used to sustain the church there. Treasure hunters, nonetheless, continue today to rummage and dig around the vicinity of Montsegur for this lost cache. On the morning of March 16 *, between 205 and 225 Cathars marched down the southern slopes of the pog (hill) and positioned themselves on a mass execution pyre of wood and logs prepared earlier at the foot of the hill. Either they climbed ladders to the top of the bier or entered into an enclosure - cage and were tied to stakes positioned in the wood. After the saying of prayers the pyre was set on fire.

.

The Siege of Montsegur ends and on 16 March 1244 over 200 Cathars are burnt at the Stake and with them Esclaramonde, high priestess of their religion and as the flames consumed her, a white dove flew from the fire into the spring skies. Ever faith endures over tyranny. * Tributes will be placed in memory of the Cathar Martyrs. This is taken from below web site - Do pay a visit to this site it has excellent pages on Montsegur. MONTSEGUR AND THE CATHARS HERESY In 1243-1244--the Cathars--a mysterious heretical sect were besieged at Montsegurby ten thousand Royal Catholic French troops. In March of 1244, the castle ...http://www.russian/.org/montsegur.htm - 10k - Cached - Similar pages
Another excellent Web Site worth a Visit: The Cathars: Cathar Castles: Montségur or MontsegùrCathar Castles: Montsegur and its role in Catharism and the French CatholicCrusade against the Cathars and their strongholds of the Languedoc and the ...http://www.languedoc-france/.info/120719_montsegur.htm - 30k - Cached - Similar pages

.

....A most infamous incident in the Albigensian Crusade, which one way or another you may have heard of: The Massacre at Beziers On 22 July 1209, on the feast of St. Mary Magdalene; the Northern Crusaders began to make camp around Beziers. Taking advantage of this opportunity provided by those who were about to lay siege to Beziers, seen to be busy setting up camp. The Cathar knights within Bezier mistakenly decided to open the gates and mount an attack on the Northern Crusaders. However, this attack was repulsed and the Northern crusaders quickly went on the offensive in attacking towards the open gates. Despite heroic attempt to halt attackers at the gates, the crusaders soon had broken through the defences and were within the walls of Beziers. Beziers at this time whilst of Cathar sympathy was not populated by just Cathars, many of its citizens were devout Catholics and also many Jews had sought refuge there. Beziers was then a place of refuge and thus full of not only its own citizens but also with "Faidits" (landless Cathar Knights) and those who had fled the countryside. As the slaughter began, a Christian crusader aware that many of Beziers citizens were Catholics, cried out; "How do we know who to kill?"....To which Arnold Amaury papal plenipotentiary replied: ''Kill Them All. God Will Know His Own". ....The slaughter was terrible as was the conclusion of the Massacre of Bezier, it is estimated that the Christian Crusaders that day killed up to 20.000 victims; man. women and child. Cathars and Catholics, Jews and Gypsies.

.

Languedoc aka Occitania.

.

The web will be full of information on the Languedoc/Occitania but I will particularly draw your attention to fact that once upon a time this used to be the territory of the Volcae Tectosages with their capital being at Toulouse. You will be most interested in fact that it is from the name of this tribe that "Welsh/Wales" comes from, reasons for which I will let you discover for yourselves via web search of 'VOLCAE'. Languedoc - Occitan Cultural Renaissance and Nationalism. In brief, the Albigensian Crusade brought to an end the Independence of the Laguedoc/Occitania, minor localised revolts followed but most major insurrection was associated with the 16th Century Religious wars in France (the film Martin Guerre by way is set in area of Foix) in which the Languedoc was very much centre of the protestant Cause. At start of the French Revolution, pro - revolutionaries in the Languedoc supported both cause of restoration of autonomy for the Languedoc and of the native 'Oc' language but the centralising 'Jacobins' of Paris soon stamped on that idea. (see Socialist Worker arguments against Welsh nationalism for good of modern day Jacobinism). After this it was all down hill until the 19th century cultural revival of the 'Felibrige Movement' (Oc language revivalists).

.
For Other Useful Web Sites, Just Enter Web Search For:

.
* Cathars.
* Albigensian Crusade.
* Languedoc and Midi Pyrenees.
* Occitan Language & Culture.
* Occitan/Languedoc Nationalism Today.
* Ariage & Foix Tourism Web Sites.
* Parti de la Nation Occitania.

* Occitan Cultural and Cathar Medieval festivals.

* There are also a number of personal sites for walking and climbing enthusiasts.

.
Must Books To Read:

.
* God's Heretics. The Albigensian Crusade by Aubrey Burl. Sutton Publishing. * The Perfect Heresy. The Life and Death of the Cathars by Stephen O' Shea. Profile books. * The Yellow Cross. The Story of the Last of the Cathars by Rene Weis. * Massacre at Montsegur. A History of the Albigensian Crusade by Zoe Oldenbourg. * Montailliou. Cathars and Catholics in a French Village 1294 - 1324 by Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie. Many more, no shortage of books due to huge interest in Cathars.

.
Also via libraries: * Material on Napoleon Peyrat of Ariege born 1809 (Foix department Capital) on matter of the Albigensian Crusade. * Material on "Anthroposophist" Deodat Roche and in particular his disciple the philosopher Simone Weil "The Red Virgin" writing as Emile Novis (the reason why she wrote under this name is interesting in itself). * Material on Maurice Magre. (It is he who influences Otto Rhan).

.

It is largely the writings of these people from Peyrat in the 19th century to other aforementioned in the 1920's - 1930's period who establish influences that along with the "cultural revival" of the 'Felibrige" produce conditions for the eventual birth of post WWII "Oc Nationalism". This political and cultural nationalism in the Languedoc/Occitania owes much to the "prevailing radical mood of the 1960's" and has comparisons with both Brittany and Cymru. However, the Languedoc/Occitania was to have even greater comparison with Corsica as in both "French Regions" returning French Colonists and their pro - French Muslim workers who had fled Algeria to settle in Corsica and the Languedoc/Occitania and started to "buy up" the local Wine Plantations and associated businesses. This led to the rise of a very broad based growth of popular support for birth of a more radical nationalism and the Languedoc/Occitania witnessed wide spread "Wine Riots". But in Corsica it give rise to militant "take over" of French Colonist properties. In consequence in the Languedoc/Occitania, the French made concessions to "cultural nationalism" and the "disturbances" there died out. Corsica however, could not be as easily "bought off" and there a Corsican Liberation Front began a War of Independence. I most earnestly suggest you also search out "Oc Nationalism" and 'Parti Occitania' on the web. (NB: see also in Flags of the World website information on 'Oc Flags', a number of differing regional flags are used in "Oc Regions" ), in particular as usual: Wikapedia.

.

Afterthoughts: Re study of above, In particular give attention to Esclaramonde "The Joan of Arc of the Languedoc", you will also come across much to do with "Occult Interests" of Nazis as in the 1940's Otto Rahn and later the English psychiatrist Arthur Guirdham. All of which will bring you into the realms of contemporary "Esoteric Mysteries" as written up in the 'Holy Blood and the Holy Grail' by Henry Lincoln, Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh. It is their work that so obviously inspired Dan Brown's Da Vicni Code. You will also become aware that during the 60's and in years to follow the "Hippie Identification" with Catharism and in association the phenomena of growth a verity of "religious cults" with desired links to Catharism. In all this you will read a lot about the Knights Templars * and of course the marvellous Hoax of the 'PRIORY OF ZION', although there is a continuing debates as to whether it is an "HOAX" or not; it know being argued that there is a such a thing as a "DENIAL HOAX". All wonderful stuff and a good read but to keep "Eye on the Prize", so to speak? it's the real history which is what you need to be reading up on first, OK!

.

* Not to be confused with the 'Knights of Saint John' of the Seige of Malta fame, nor with our very own 'Knights of Saint David'/Miltary and Hospitaller Order of Saint David, postings on in this Adfywiad Gwladgarol blog and in the Alternative Welsh Nationalist History and Movement Blog http://awnms.blogspot.com

.
Cathar Welsh Connections? Go Find Them for Your Selves Like I had To Do! ...Oh well, I will give you a few to prompt your interest. 1:, those "Pesky Basques" were responsible for down fall of Montseguer and of course Castell y Bere, but there are a few more? Inc the easy one being that of the 2: Troubadours whom so influenced our medieval poet Dafydd ap Gwylim. 3: Not least that many of the "Cathar Towns" you will of course be familiar with because today they have well known Rugby Clubs, and..................................

4: Then there is FOIX (it is pronounced as 'fwa', yes! F.W.A.) is the fortress of the splendid Counts of Foix. My favoured "medievalist esoteric place of residence", must place for 'Adfywiadwyr Gwladgarol' annual holidays. FOIX has a great chateau, buetyfull town, and as loads of festivals throughout the year. Near by are they Pyranees and the Mediterranean Coast with the coastal city of Pepignan, in a very Catalan Corner of this region. Not far away is Catalonia, whilst in the Pyranees you will find ANDORRA, just search the web for all info req.

.
In the memory of the 'Cathar Knights': '' The Cathar knights Are softly crying by the roadside As the day is dying. As a final insult, As a last torment, They're lost in the tumult enrobed in cement''. Words of The Singer Francis Cabrel 1983, his words are commenting on the sadness of all that is left of Catharism are monuments to Cathar Knights by the roadside seen throughout the Languedoc, whilst the roads are full of tourists heading south into "Cathar Country". You see as in the Cymric heartland of Pura Wallia", the Ancient lands of Cunedda and many rural areas of Europe, the traditional lands are being depopulated of their native inhabitants - In this "New Age of Globalised Tribal Movement" much of it "engineered" by the 20th Century Imperialism of the European Union and Multi - National Globalizing Capitalist World Banks.

.

Visiting the Languedoc/Occitania: I urge you go see the Languedoc/Occitania aka 'Cathar Country' before it totally disappears into a world of ''Anglo - North Europeans'', last I heard even the Russians are ''buying into it?''. I suggest those of 'Adfywiadwyr Gwladgarol' Patriotic Persuasion Particularly focus for holidays on the Ville de Foix and Pays de Ariege, which also takes in Montsegur, and not too far away are Carcassone and Talouse, which also make ideal bases for holidays. There are flights from Cardiff Airport to Talouse and Pepignan, but check as you know how quickly such change, otherwise take boat and train. I am getting ready for a major ''Holiday Expedition'' in 2009 with a Canal boat trip on the Royal Languedoc Canal du Midi (Southern Section) to Sete - The Venice of the Languedoc. details of which you will find on the web, this will be ideal for also exploring a wide area of the Languedoc.

.

Cathar Crusade Commemorations: 2009, will of course be anniversary of start of the 'Crusades against the Cathars', brought about by the assassination of a papal representative. From the web: In 1206, the pope's legate, Amaury, sent his assistant, another Cistercian monk, Pierre de Castelnau, to Provence to form a league of knights to fight Catharism. Castelnau invited comte Raymond VI of Toulouse to lead this host. Raymond saw no value in such a campaign against this community that was widely spread and well ingranied in his lands. He rejected the "idea of waging war on his own subjects," and Castelnau called for Raymond VI's excommunication. The pope ratified the excommunication of Raymond in May 1207. On 13 January 1208, Raymond met with Pierre de Castelnau at Saint-Gilles, in Provence. The monk and Raymond argued and exchanged threats. The next morning (14 January), Pierre de Castelnau was assassinated as he was departing the town. His assassin was believed to have been an agent of comte Raymond VI. Pope Innocent III reacted by proclaiming a crusade against the 'sinister race' of Languedoc. His Bull offered indulgences for combatants declared that the heretics' lands were open to be taken. This latter offer enticed many knights from far who needed, or merely sought more land. In June 1209, a great 'Northern' Crusade Army assembled and began it's march south into the lands of the Cathars, the rest is hard history and modern mystery, in which most find an interest, I am sure you will too but do focus some though on a comparative study of Welsh and Occitan Nationalism, seeing what you may learn to the greater advantage of our 'Adfywiad Gwladgarol Cymru', today and tomorrow? I shall keep you informed of commemorative activity, I have been informed already that there is a film to be made about the events of 2009, I am really looking forward to that, am sure you will.

.
NB: PLEASE IF USEING ANY OF MATERIAL ABOVE DO CREDIT THIS AND OTHER SORCES.

.

Yours esoterically in the ''Faith of Fury and Fire''.

Gethin 'Iestyn' Gruffydd.

Cymric Consul to the Counts of Foix.