The Crusade against Albigensians (Cathars): Motivation, origin and reflections (1209-1216)

Catharism, being an heretic sectarian which opposed to the Roman Church's practicals and doctirines has gathered supporters in South France due to this region's political, religious and sociocultural environment. The Papacy, despite the fact that they adopted some deterrent measures from the begining of the twelfth century in the hope of preventing the spread of this sectarian which threated its autonomous order, had failed to do so. Pope Innocent III (1198-1216) announced declaration of crusade against Cathars after Pierre de Castelnau, a preacher sent to the region, was murdered by Cathars. He also declared that the ones who serve in this case will receive an indulgence. Thus in 1209 The Crusades began between the Christians. Crusade marched towards to Catharian villages and Simon de Montfort was elected as the leader of the army upon the fall of Carcassone region. Simon de Montfort, even the fact that he faced troubles caused by the soldiers that left the army during military campaign, acquired lots of Catharian centers in south France. Thousands of Cathars were executed regardless of whether they were women or kid. Simon passed away in 1218 during the siege of Toulouse, a Cathar sectarian center. Upon this development, some southern lords started to take back the regions that were once lost to crusade, one by one. Crusades, with the help of another warfare campaign initiated by French King Louis the VIII. (1223-1226) once again reconquered some the cities back from Cathars. As a result of this advance, the count of Toulouse Raymond the VII. had to compromise and this lately crusade campaign ended in 1229 following the Meaux pact signed between crusade army and Cathars.