Phoenix: Massacre at Montsegur: A History of the Albigensian Crusade

Rating:
Summary: A good book, but beward other readers (Sara)
Review: Another reviewer notes that Oldenbourg makes the case that the Cathars were far more: human[e] peaceful and civilized (not to mention Christian) than the "corrupt Catholic Church" than most scholars believe.

Though Zoe does present a rather sympathetic view of the Cathars to the reader, I find it hard to beleive that another review could mistakenly think that the Cathars were anything closely resembling Christians. Oldenbourg does not really make this case.

Though the book is well written (and fairly short in comparison to other books) I think that the book fails in it's objectives to really evaluate the situation in Languedoc (which is an anachronistic term).

Much better histories of the period have been written by much better scholars. If anyone is truely interested in the era, than I would suggest Bernard Hamilton, Walter Ullman and Fr. Shannon's histories of the period. Not only are their books more academic but also more balanced.

Rating:
Summary: It's about freedom of religion.....
Review: MASSACRE AT MONTSEGUR is a history of the church of Rome's persecution of 'heretics' in Languedoc from early (1208) to mid (1244) 13th Century. First published in 1959 Oldenbourg's book remains current, and it is both scholarly and extremely readable. If you are new to the subject, MM is a good place to begin reading about the religious persecution carried out by the church of Rome against the Cathars and other "heretics" in Languedoc during the Middle Ages.

At the time of these persecutions, the church of Rome appears to have been Machiavellian to the core (do unto others before they do unto you whether those others be 'heretical' Christian sects or other religions), militaristic, and absorbed by the acquisition of material goods. Oldenbourg does not discuss how Christianity evolved from a religion based on faith and love to one dominated by the seven deadly sins, but he suggests the introduction of the Dominican Inquisition, first carried out by the church of Rome against the people of Languedoc, forever altered the religion. The Inquisition used torture and murder as a means to an end, and is probably the first historical instance of police-state terrorism.

According to Oldenbourg, in the 13th Century, the Cathars appear to have been more Christ-like than many members of the church of Rome -- else why would so many have been attracted to their point of view. Although Oldenbourg's sympathies appear to have been with the Cathars, he makes a superb effort to understand the motivation and actions of the church of Rome which persecuted the Cathars until they no longer existed. I believe his writing is fair and impartial, no small task as the vast majority of the extant records on this subject come from the archives of the church of Rome. In the end, the question to ask yourself is this...does anyone have the right to tell another what to believe?

Little is known about the Cathar religion. Apparently the movement was quite large as members of the Cathar faith could be found all over Europe. Church documents reveal the Cathar perfects and bishops drew inspiration from the Bible although their interpretation of the Bible differed from the official version sanctioned by Rome, thus they were "heretic." Oldenbourg suggests the Cathar faith was an older version of Christianity than the religion espoused by Rome. (See THE CATHARS by Malcolm Lambert and the 'Epilogue' by Carol Lansing in THE ALBIGENSIAN CRUSADES by Joseph Strayer for various perspectives on the Cathar religion.)

Excepting the siege and destruction of the inhabitants of Montsegur in 1244, Oldenbourg provides little information about the military operations of the crusaders who were ordered to Languedoc by various popes. For a better understanding of the sieges, battle tactics, etc. see the ALBIGENSIAN CRUSADE by Joseph Stayer which includes maps, diagrams, etc. and views the various encounters from the perspective of the assaulting Crusaders. For more information about the Cathars after the massacre at Montsegur, see THE YELLOW CROSS by Rene Weis.

This is an excellent book for our times when religious wars threaten from every side and relgious intolerance is increasing. Oldenbourg shows us that the last time we mixed politics and religion people got burned at the stake.

Rating:
Summary: It's about freedom of religion.....
Review: MASSACRE AT MONTSEGUR is a history of the church of Rome's persecution of `heretics' in Languedoc from early (1208) to mid (1244) 13th Century. First published in 1959 Oldenbourg's book remains current, and it is both scholarly and extremely readable. If you are new to the subject, MM is a good place to begin reading about the religious persecution carried out by the church of Rome against the Cathars and other "heretics" in Languedoc during the Middle Ages.

At the time of these persecutions, the church of Rome appears to have been Machiavellian to the core (do unto others before they do unto you whether those others be `heretical' Christian sects or other religions), militaristic, and absorbed by the acquisition of material goods. Oldenbourg does not discuss how Christianity evolved from a religion based on faith and love to one dominated by the seven deadly sins, but he suggests the introduction of the Dominican Inquisition, first carried out by the church of Rome against the people of Languedoc, forever altered the religion. The Inquisition used torture and murder as a means to an end, and is probably the first historical instance of police-state terrorism.

According to Oldenbourg, in the 13th Century, the Cathars appear to have been more Christ-like than many members of the church of Rome -- else why would so many have been attracted to their point of view. Although Oldenbourg's sympathies appear to have been with the Cathars, he makes a superb effort to understand the motivation and actions of the church of Rome which persecuted the Cathars until they no longer existed. I believe his writing is fair and impartial, no small task as the vast majority of the extant records on this subject come from the archives of the church of Rome. In the end, the question to ask yourself is this...does anyone have the right to tell another what to believe?

Little is known about the Cathar religion. Apparently the movement was quite large as members of the Cathar faith could be found all over Europe. Church documents reveal the Cathar perfects and bishops drew inspiration from the Bible although their interpretation of the Bible differed from the official version sanctioned by Rome, thus they were "heretic." Oldenbourg suggests the Cathar faith was an older version of Christianity than the religion espoused by Rome. (See THE CATHARS by Malcolm Lambert and the `Epilogue' by Carol Lansing in THE ALBIGENSIAN CRUSADES by Joseph Strayer for various perspectives on the Cathar religion.)

Excepting the siege and destruction of the inhabitants of Montsegur in 1244, Oldenbourg provides little information about the military operations of the crusaders who were ordered to Languedoc by various popes. For a better understanding of the sieges, battle tactics, etc. see the ALBIGENSIAN CRUSADE by Joseph Stayer which includes maps, diagrams, etc. and views the various encounters from the perspective of the assaulting Crusaders. For more information about the Cathars after the massacre at Montsegur, see THE YELLOW CROSS by Rene Weis.

This is an excellent book for our times when religious wars threaten from every side and relgious intolerance is increasing. Oldenbourg shows us that the last time we mixed politics and religion people got burned at the stake.

Rating:
Summary: Gripping and powerful from start to finish
Review: Massacre at Montsegur presents the tragic history of the Catholic Church's persecution of the Christian Catharist religion, focusing on the period 1209 to 1244. With masterful interpretation of what are very few original sources (mostly anti-Cathar), Oldenbourg reveals Catharism to be far more rational,human and truly spiritual than the corrupt, highly politicized and institutionalized Catholicism of the times. Catharism flourished in the 12th and early 13th centuries in Languedoc (southern France) where it was widely accepted and indeed practiced by people of all classes. What is so exciting about this story, even though we know what happens in the end, is the intricate weaving of political and religious motives as the nobles of Languedoc fight to the death to preserve their freedom and way of life. Oldenbourg writes beautifully, with gratifying digressions for greater context and more detail every step of the way. The book was, for me, utterly riveting. Finishing left me desolate, longing for more.

Rating:
Summary: Very Readable
Review: Other works by other authors might be more objective and more academically correct, but Ms. Oldenbourg's book reads more like a novel than a history book.

She tries hard to be balanced, but her sympathies are obviously with the Cathars, not the Pope and his legates, who were in fact pretty bad dudes in those days.

There are plenty of citations and references to satisfy a casual history buff like me. This book is a classic and a must for anybody interested in the middle ages.