The Albigensian Crusade

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An excellent introductory history - Rated
This is an extremely readable book which manages to condense a long and often complex conflict into a highly digestible form. Concentrating on facts rather than the later myths which grew around this subject the book takes you through the history of the crusade, the personalities involved and the factors which gave birth to it all (and as already said, property rights played in many ways a larger part than any religious issues).

The book is even handed in its approach and has surprising depth given its relative brevity. Highly recommended as an introduction to a fascinating historical episode.

Good military history, but a little short - Rated
This book provides an excellent insight into the military and political aspects of the Albigensian Crusades. It focuses primarily on the period 1209 -1218 when Simon de Montford led the crusade and while it covers the later period (up to 1246) in a couple of chapters, the detail is much more sparse and I would have happily read more about it.

Jonathan Sumptions style is very easy to read and he sticks to the facts rather than offering judgements or speculation about the more 'mystical' elements of Catharism and the associated conspiracy theories. The religious situation is obviously mentioned to provide a context, but again I felt this could have been more fully explored. Significant religious figures from the period (ie St Dominic) get a brief mention, but little more than that.

If a good military history of the Albigensian Crusade is what you are after, then I would recommend this book to you.

Detailed History, Property not Catharism was central - Rated
This is a detailed and fascinating history. As usual, the "Crusade" to save the Languedoc from the heresy of Catharism was more of an excuse then the real reason, which was various aristocrats fighting for fiefdoms. No Holy Grail, no Templars, no conspiracy theories about the tomb of Christ or whatever. I was looking for the facts after reading about some of the wilder theories, and this was refreshing and a good read.

Superb depiction of a complicated mediaeval episode - Rated
Jonathan Sumption has the supreme gift of mixing the ingredients of narrative and analysis into a book which cannot be put down and brings the reader as close as possible to the events of the time. Those looking for something indelibly linked with all the Holy Grail hysteria will be disappointed in not finding anything but pure historical fact in a story that encompasses all the major aspects of mediaeval history - warfare, nation-building, religion, politics and the evolution of trade and economies are all touched upon.

A wonderful history, beautifully written. - Rated
This is a wonderful history, beautifully written and so exciting that I could not put it down. It makes me want to deepen even more my interest in the middle ages.