Albigensians

The Albigensians, also known as Cathars, were a dualist religious movement that emerged in the Languedoc region of southern France in the 11th century. They believed in a radical dualism, positing two opposing principles: a good God who created the spiritual world and an evil God who created the material world. This led them to reject the material world and its institutions, including the Catholic Church and its sacraments.

Albigensian doctrine held that the earthly church, with its wealth and power, was a creation of the evil God. They emphasized a life of asceticism and simplicity for their followers, known as the Perfecti, who renounced worldly possessions and lived in strict adherence to their beliefs. The majority of adherents, known as Credentes, followed the teachings and received spiritual guidance from the Perfecti.

The Catholic Church viewed the Albigensians as heretics and a threat to its authority and unity. In 1209, Pope Innocent III launched the Albigensian Crusade, a brutal military campaign aimed at eradicating the Cathar movement. The crusade led to widespread violence, destruction, and the eventual suppression of the Albigensians by the early 14th century. The suppression involved both military conquest and the establishment of the Inquisition to root out remaining adherents. The Albigensian Crusade and its aftermath had a profound impact on the religious and political landscape of medieval Europe.