The Cathar heresy began in the 9th Century and became firmly established across
Southern France. Large numbers of castles were built, showing just
how deep-rooted the religious movement became.
The Cathars believed in the separation of good from evil and rejected
the authority of the Catholic church. They soon began to worry the
Pope and the King, who declared war on them and launched a Crusade
against Count Raymond VI, who was doing nothing to counter the rise
of Catharism. The Count finally submitted, thus enabling Toulouse
to escape the tragedies of the Albigensian Crusades.
At the same time, the community of preachers, the Dominicans, settled
in Toulouse and took on the task of reprimanding the Cathar heresy.
These Inquisitors were soon driven out of the city.
The Crusaders destroyed many of the towns in the Southwest. Their leader,
Simon de Montfort, tried to lay siege to the city, but could not break
through initially. When he finally succeeded, he proclaimed himself
Count of Toulouse, and was then killed by a stone. There is a plaque
to commemorate the event on the Allées Jules Guesde.
Places to see:
>
the plaque commemorating the death of Simon de Montfort on 25 June 1218, during
the siege of Toulouse
near the Théâtre Sorano 35 allées Jules Guesde
> the Jacobins monastery complex, founded in 1230 by the Dominicans. 5 August
1234: Saint Dominique was canonised in the Jacobins church.
rue Lakanal
> The Maison Seilhan – the Inquisitors’ House. Home of the Dominican order. Bernard and Pierre Seilhan received Saint Dominique here in 1215. The Bruno de Solages lecture hall has a magnificent coffered ceiling decorated with 17th-Century paintings illustrating the life of Saint Dominique.