ABSTRACT
Canon 27 of the Third Lateran Council in 1179 anathematized the scandalous establishment, in Gascony, the Albigeois and the Toulousaine, of Cathar heretics, also called Patarins and Publicans, and, in the very same breath condemned those called “Brabantionibus et Aragonensibus, Navariis, Bascolis, Coterellis and Triaverdinis” who destroyed churches and the countryside, the poor and the innocent without any distinction of sex or status. Anyone who employed such mercenary soldiers would have their names published in churches and be liable to excommunication. Those who associated with either the heretics or the mercenary bands would also be liable to excommunication. In addition, “Whoever, following the council of holy bishops and priests, takes up arms against them, will enjoy a remission of two years penance and will be placed under the protection of the Church just like those who undertake the journey to Jerusalem.”2 There can be little doubt that this decree was powerfully influenced by Henry de Marcy, abbot of Cîteaux who was all too aware of the problems which beset southern France. He had written to the pope before the council, urging him to launch a crusade against the heretics. It is certain that his ideas reflected the anxieties of the churchmen of the area, mired as they were in dissent and in violence. Historians have lavished attention on heresy, which has become one of the “Spectaculars” of medieval history. At some time during the years 1174-7 the Cathar Council of Saint-Félix-de-Caraman (now Saint-Félix-Lauragais) had openly challenged the Roman church with the creation of four bishops for Albi, Agen, Carcassonne and Toulouse. Unsurprisingly, the vast majority of the 26 French bishops in attendance at the Third Lateran Council were from the south.3 In 1181 Henry de Marcy, by this time Cardinal of Albano and a Papal Legate, led the “Crusade against Lavaur”
which violently eliminated a major heretic centre 30 km north of Toulouse, where Count Roger of Béziers, his wife and numerous heretics had taken refuge. The surrender of this place was attributed by the Chronicle of Clairvaux to a miracle. By the terms of the surrender all the heretics renounced their errors, though it seems that most soon lapsed.4
