Product Description

In the 13th century, a group of heretics in southwest France, the Cathars, became a serious threat to the Catholic church. In several waves of repression, thousands of Cathars were killed. Yet so ardent was their faith that, early in the next century, the Cathars rose one last time. Using the breathtakingly detailed and uniquely extant documentation from this period, and drawing on his intimate knowledge of the last Cathars' tracks and hiding places, many of which survive to this day, René Weis tells the full story of this gripping historical episode.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #95684 in Books
• Published on: 2001-08-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 512 pages

From the Publisher
Praise for 'The Yellow Cross' by Rene Weis:
‘Refreshing and stimulating… the best account of the reality of Catharism we are likely to get in a very long time’ – The Times Literary Supplement

‘Brilliantly reconstructs the personal machinations and sexual intrigues by which the Cathars took over Montaillou, before falling victim to the Inquisition’ – Sunday Times, Books of the Year

‘A story with a powerful modern resonance, a story of treachery, betrayal, passion, greed, and heroism… my book of the year’ – Christopher Bland, Sunday Telegraph

‘Utterly absorbing’ – Daily Telegraph

‘In an utterly modern way, and with the freshness and vibrancy of real life, this book recaptures the Cathar experience in Languedoc 700 years ago’ – Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie, author of Montaillou

‘As a history of a ruthless extirpation, it succeeds enthrallingly’ – The Times

About the Author
René Weis was born in 1953. He is Professor of English Literature at UCL and the author of Criminal Justice: The True Story of Edith Thompson, first published in 1988 to critical acclaim.

Customer Reviews

An utterly absorbing read, vividly recreating the past
This is a vivid and unforgettable illumination of the fate of a small community which lived, loved and died over 600 years ago. There is no fantastical speculation here - just thorough and exhaustive scholarship, and the author's own humanity, which brings these individuals fully to life. I could not have believed I could have been touched so deeply by the fate of men and women whose bones are now dust.

Much rubbish has been written about the Cathars in the past few years - read this, and discover just what an insult this is to the memory of the last "Parfaites" of Europe.

The work of a genius
An exceptional presentation based heavily on historical records. Weis refrains from undue speculation and lets the records speak. Nevertheless, his exquistive writing helps bring the story to life. Ironically, the Inquisitions own detailed records from 1290-1329 were preserved and enabled Weis to recreate many of the activities in the village of Montaillou, France.

Cathar religion is not the focus of this history, but elements of Cathar thought and practice are unavoidably present. The pluses and minuses of being a Cathar are presented, at least for the residents of Montaillou. Despite the asceticim of Cathar spiritual leaders, the sexual promiscuity of some Cathars is not glossed over.

Sadly, in this case, the reason for the Inquistions interest in Montaillou seems to have been, not primarily their religious difference but the reluctance of people in that area to pay the Church's taxes.

I read this book in 3 days, but I took a break after every 2 chapters or so because following all the detail challenged my focus. The amount of detail Weis was able to assemble is staggering. To his credit, he kept the story flowing. I've never read history at this fine a granularity. I never before was aware what life in medieval Europe might be like.

Weis seems superhuman. How he assimilated so many facts and presented it so clearly and vividly is far beyond my understanding. A work of this quality and power seem to me very rare [Another book on Montaillou, by Ladurie, may be even more detailed, enough to perhaps be of interest only to academicians, but apparently makes a heavily pro-Church interpretation]. Even if the Cathars are not your interest, I'd recommend this book for its extraordinary presentation of life in a medieval village. I've never before felt this connected to people of the Middle Ages: I'm very impressed by them

A cracking unforgetable read
I found this book absolutely compelling. I have read it three times and continue to dip into it. It is more interesting than Emmanuel Roy Laudrie's book on the same subject. It takes a more anthropological approach as opposed to Laudrie's social, political and economic stance. Weiss's updating and locating of events is thoroughly convincing. One can smell the bread coming from the foghana. It also has a fine hero in Pierre Maury. One more noble and good than the parfaits he follows.