Product Description

In the early 12th century AD, a large part of what we now think of as France was not under the direct control of the French King who's authority stretched little further than Paris. One region of Southern France, the Languedoc, became the centre of Catharism - heresy in the eyes of the Pope - who ordered a crusade against the region. The crusading army of French knights seized the opportunity to gain land and riches and the crusade was a viciously waged. The inhabitants of the Languedoc had always relied for their safety upon as series of strongly fortified walled cities - Albi, Carcassonne, Beziers, Toulouse - as well as a large number of fortified hill-top villages and castles, 'castra', which dotted the countryside. This book will describe the so-called 'Cathar castles', why they were positioned where they were, how they were built, how well those they withstood the realities of the Albigensian Crusade.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #263214 in Books
• Published on: 2006-11-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 64 pages

Customer Reviews

excellent and accurate, up to date guidebook
I bought this book before an out-of-season visit to Carcassonne and the nearby castles in November 2008. It proved to be by far the best guide to visits to the area, far better than those to be found once there in the castle bookshops, and more informative even than those written in French. The access and opening hours in the book were very accurate and useful, and the reconstructions of various castles superb and well researched. This book greatly enhanced this visit and added enormously to my enjoyment and understanding of the area. A big thankyou to the authors.

Just what was needed..
This is a brilliant overveiw of the area and the troubles that ensured. Excellent reading for those that are interested in the history of the area...and like me wish to travel the area and see for ones self the harshness of life as it might have been.