The Albigensian Crusade
Origins of the Crusade
Raymond VI of Toulouse, 1194-1212
Toulouse regarded itself as virtually independent of the crown, as did most of the other southern French provinces. Indeed, the very word "French" to these southerners meant northern France. The south was called Provence or Languedoc.
Raymond ruled a wealthy county, but his authority within his territory was weak, and many of his vassals went their own way. These lesser barons were insulated from the king and from the local count, and defended their independence jealously. As the storm blew up around the Cathars, Raymond was caught in the middle between local traditions and an ambitious papacy. He was also weak in character, indecisive or unconvincing at critical points—traits not well-suited to the circumstances. Mostly, though, he was overwhelmed by events.
Innocent III, 1198-1216
Greatest of all the medieval popes
Recognized the Franciscans and the Dominicans, so he was not averse to innovation and reform
Preached crusades several times
A lawyer, with a legist's mind; ambitious, with a high opinion of the powers of the papacy
A crisis develops
1199 Innocent appointed legates to root out heresy in Languedoc
It didn't work. In 1204 he sent in Arnold Amalric, the abbot of the prestigious abbey of Cîteaux
In 1206, St. Dominic was there. He learned preaching techniques from the Cathars that he used when he founded his own order.
In 1207 Innocent asked King Philip II to eradicate the heresy
Philip was concerned only with royal power and did not see how this effort would extend his authority but only how it would drain his treasury
His support was never more than lukewarm
Plus, he was locked in his struggle with England, which culminated in the Battle of Bouvines in 1214.
In January 1208, Peter of Castlenau was assassinated
It was widely believed that Raymond engineered this
He protected the murderer, claiming the Church had no right to prosecute
May 1208, Raymond was excommunicated
Innocent called a crusade