http://worldcat.org/entity/work/id/1418252

Massacre At Montsegur; A History of the Albigensian Crusade. Translated From the French by Peter Green

In the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, the Cathar religious cult spread like an epidemic through the entire Mediterranean world, penetrating all classes, dividing families, alarming the Roman Church, and inspiring thousands to die at the stake. Zoe Oldenbourg places this strange heresy in its historical setting, from its obscure origins in Eastern Europe to the final and bloody suppression of the French Cathars, or Albigensians, at the fortress of Montségur. Beginning with the heretical doctrine itself, Oldenbourg traces its ramifications among Manichaeans, Paulicians, and Cathars (or "pure ones"), extending through Asia Minor, the Balkans, and Italy, finally to put down firm roots in the South of France, where Raymond, Count of Toulouse, still kept Languedoc independent of either Spain or France. The power politics of the popes, sovereigns, and warrior knights who were involved in destroying the Albigensians emerge clearly and objectively in Oldenbourg's narrative.--From publisher description.

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