Over 200 people were burned at the stake on 16th March, 1244, throwing themselves on to the pyre in their refusal to accept the Catholic church.

These ‘Cathars’ reportedly followed a radical dualist belief system, seeing the material world as the creation of an evil force, with salvation lying in renouncing earthly pleasures. After years of persecution, on this day they found themselves trapped in Montségur Castle, perched atop a dramatic limestone peak.

But many historians now believe the Cathars, as a distinct heretical movement, never actually existed. The term “Cathar” wasn’t even used at the time. Instead, the Church may have lumped various groups together under the label of heresy, as an excuse for persecution and territorial control. Much like the "War on Terror" centuries later, branding a broad, nebulous enemy gave the authorities free rein to wage war against anyone they considered a threat…

In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly visit “Cathar Country,”; consider if putting women in positions of power put the Cathars under threat; and discover the chilling words of commander Arnold Amalric, who told his soldiers to kill everyone, because “God will know His own”...

Further Reading:

• ‘Your Guide To The Cathars And The Albigensian Crusade’ (BBC History Magazine, 2017): https://www.historyextra.com/period/medieval/who-were-cathars-what-was-catharism-what-religion-albesignian-crusade/

• ‘Consolation for the Cathars’ (The Irish Times, 2002): https://www.irishtimes.com/news/consolation-for-the-cathars-1.1127552

• ‘Cathar Massacre Unveiled - Medieval Dead - S02 EP06’ (Banijay History, 2024): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbKZwjIDGIA

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The Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.

Theme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Ollie Peart.

Copyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2026.

#Medieval #France #Catholic #War

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