On this day, March 16, in 1244 over 200 Cathar believers were burned at the stake by the hand of the Inquisition in southern France. The fortress known as Montsegur. Their story is told in my novel Shadows of Montsegur.

Lavelanet of the Ariege

Medieval street in Lavelanet

The story of Shadows of Montsegur takes place in and near the Medieval town of Lavelanet. This lovely village grew up beside the Touyre River and at the foot of "Castelsarrasin", a castle that belonged to the Count of Foix. The castle was destroyed in 1212 by the Crusaders of Simon de Montfort, and rebuilt during the Renaissance, and finally demolished in 1964. 

Touyre River

For centuries, Lavelanet was famous for their textiles. Now the factory is a museum and gift shop, but the smokestack is still standing.

As a result of the Treaty of Paris in 1229, Toulouse became subject to King Louis of France, changing the world of the Languedoc forever. Lavelanet fell under the lordship of Mirepoix.

River Touyre

The first Catholic church in Lavelanet was established by the monks of Saint Sernin in the 9th century. The first building served for hundreds of years, and the present church house was built in the 1600's. Here are a few photos of the interior.

Madonna

Confessional

Countryside

Textile factory smoke stack now stands

The green countryside allows for a lovely scenic drive.

The ruins of the fortress of Montsegur can be seen in the distance from the village of Lavelanet.

One of the oldest structures in Lavelanet

Walk the streets of the enchanting village of Lavelanet in the Shadows of Montsegur. Learn about the Cathars, their beliefs, and why they had to choose between their religion and life.

The Beginning of the Inquisition--A Mission of Love Gone Awry

                









                  The 11^thcentury dawned with a new religion spreading rapidly across northern Italy and southern France, creating such a hub-bub and raising caution with Catholic leadership. The papacy labeled this religion’s claim to authority from Christ, and their profoundly different theology, as heretical. The Church saw its growth as a threat, and sent priests to the Languedoc to bring these lost souls back into the fold. Sincere preachers taught and debated with the Cathars for decades, finding some success, but most heretics resisted converting or denouncing their faith. 

During these thriving years, this new religion was not particularly known as Cathars, but asBons Hommes,or the Good Men. The term Cathar has become popular to distinguish them since their demise. This religion attracted new believers because Cathar preachers were tradesmen and their own neighbors, and taught in the language the people understood. They charged no taxes, and lived peaceful lives of self-discipline.

After years of fruitless persuasion, in 1209 the papacy abandoned its converting tactics and declared war against the Cathars. 

The pope charged the Dominican and Franciscan orders to track them down in what became known as the Albigensian Crusade--the beginnings of the Inquisition. The cry changed from “Convert them!” to “Exterminate them!” These priests who previously had preached with love and sincere intent on converting souls, almost overnight became the executioners of the Inquisition. 

The most horrendous act that began the crusade happened at Beziers. In July 1209, the papal legate ordered to kill all in the city. But the objection was made that half the population were Catholics. “Kill them all. God will know his own!” the leader answered. Nearly twenty-thousand people died that day, as many Catholics as Cathars.

Crusades had been going on for centuries, but warriors had always fought in far off countries and with those considered heathens and enemies to Christianity. But now, reluctant soldiers were required to fight against neighbors and their own families who were Cathar believers. The war was too close to home. 

The Inquisition was initially meant to be temporary, but after Catharism was well under control, the killing went on for at least five more centuries to include Jews, Muslims, and anyone who dared to go against the established beliefs of the Church. One could not stand up for what he believed without being arrested, and even tortured until death. Millions died at the Inquisitors’ hands—ironically, by priests charged with teaching the Gospel of Love.

Shadows of Montsegur tells of the Cathars' last days at the fortress of Montsegur.

A Visit in Toulouse

I had the priviledge of meeting with the translator of Shadows of Montsegur, A Tale of the Cathars, Genevieve Ficquet, in the lovely city of Toulouse, France this summer. Genevieve transformed my story into Dans l'ombre de Montsegur. We shared a lovely dinner of roasted duck, visited local libraries and cathedrals, and were given a tour of her husband's extensive herb garden. A few libraries in the Toulouse area now have my novel to loan, and I know a little more about herbs than I knew before!

Shadows of Montsegur, A Tale of the Cathars, book trailer

Available at Amazon

Shadows of Montsegur, A Tale of the Cathars

A religious people are persecuted for their belief, driven from their homes, and must run from an extermination order issued by those who fear them.

The year is 1144. Andreva de Beringer is joyful upon her uncle’s summons to leave the abbey in Toulouse, where she is novice, to care for her grandmother, but she arrives in Lavelanet to find a village gripped by the turmoil and terror of the Inquisition. While Andreva strives to hold on to her family, her faith, and the man she loves, all around her Good Men (believers in the Cathar religion) must fight for the same—as well as for life itself. 

In the right place, but at a dreadfully wrong time, and under the wrath of the Inquisition, might this faith-filled but naïve girl be forced to witness the massacre and burning of every Cathar man, woman, and child, and also lose the young farmer she loves?

The venturesome reader, students of history, and the romantic at heart can learn from this seldom-told tale of medieval history at its darkest.

Available at Amazon.

Cathar Hymn