The Perfect Heresy

"The Cathars of Languedoc defy obscurity because their story has become legend", yet the Albigensian Crusade, sent to destroy them, is far less well known than the crusades to Palestine. Inspired by his travels in France, Canadian historian Stephen O'Shea's tale of this medieval sect and its destruction is empathetic, evocative and sometimes refreshingly witty. The book's recreations of the "medieval phantasmagoria" of siege warfare are superb at bringing the medieval world alive. Present from the 12th century to the first quarter of the 14th, Catharism was "a pacifist brand of Christianity embracing tolerance and poverty". Rejecting the authority of the Church, and clasping a series of unorthodox beliefs, it was considered "perfect heresy". Strong in the towns of southern France, Catharism was initially protected by the "tacit assent--or fecklessness--of its overlords". Nobles, monks, popes and kings star in this story of the "abattoir Christianity" of decades of conflict encompassing religious and secular motivation. Catharism was finally eliminated by the Inquisition whose operational methods are fascinatingly and clearly explained. A highly accessible text for non-specialists, The Perfect Heresy draws on modern scholarship and ancient manuscripts (detailed in the notes) of "chroniclers, commentators, inquisitors, clergymen, and lords". Given the resplendent narrative it's a shame that the meagre illustrations are of such poor reproductive quality. But maybe the book doesn't really need them. --Karen Tiley

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A JOLLY GOOD READ! - Rated
Cathars / Albigeois / Albigensians : it would be difficult indeed to live - as I do - in south-western France and remain unaware of them. I knew about them long before leaving the UK, though, and it seems that vast numbers of people all over the world now take considerable interest in the life, times, persecution and (presumed) extinction of this apparently harmless sect, whose history will forever be associated with the Languedoc.

Among the countless books available on the subject, ranging from the unbendingly scholarly and drily indigestible to the hack-written and downright fanciful, with all shades of the literary spectrum in between, The Perfect Heresy stands out as an intensively-researched work, smoothly and compellingly written.

Easily absorbed, and fascinating in its detail, O'Shea's account encompasses not only the overt religious bigotry which fuelled the wholesale slaughter now generally referred to as the Albigensian Crusade, but also the hidden agendas : the before-and-after political map of France is a real eye-opener, as are the clearly-described political machinations by which, concealed behind a screen thickly embroidered with self-righteousness, those in power trampled and manipulated their way towards greater and greater gain, and loftier and loftier personal status. (Good job things are different now, eh?).

My only real criticism of this work concerns O'Shea's eccentric and random anglicism of some French forenames. Perhaps his (slightly patronising?) intention was to smooth the path for non-French-speakers, but if so he has failed : Arnolds and Williams and a multitude of Peters are quite difficult to imagine as Frenchmen, and the latter might well enquire, in wounded fashion, as to why the king of Aragon was allowed to remain as Pedro. And they all might wonder why Jacques never became James.

However, despite that relatively minor irritation, the gripping saga proceeds at a cracking pace, and a bed-time read has suddenly turned into a small-hours session, as the characters take on a life of their own. Cathars and kings and priests and peasants, soldiers and popes and aristocrats and inquisitors, women and men and children of all social conditions - each one comes vibrantly alive under O'Shea's pen, thus bringing each separate scenario into sharp focus.

It is to the author's credit that unlike some modern-day commentators he does not seek to idealise or mystify the Cathars - 'Perfect' may have been the title accorded to their spiritual preceptors, but they did have their failings, and he views them with a matter-of-fact eye, albeit a kindly one. On the other hand, we are left in no doubt as to his view of the Church, and of its rôle in the drama ; and however one might feel about the Cathars, it would be virtually impossible to contest that view. Meticulously recorded - in all their gruesome particulars - by the inquisitors themselves, the facts are undeniable. Even when viewed against the savage background of mediaeval Europe, the details beggar belief.

By the time you reach the last page, you will surely have learnt something.

Lessons for a modern world - unlearnt ! - Rated
Totally absorbing, thought-provoking history of a religious order who believed in the pursuit of a peaceful, humble existence to help them, once they'd died, either reincarnate
in a life closer to God, or ascend to God without reincarnation as a "Perfect". Their peaceful existence and simple message threatened a world dominated by religious zealots and warring nobility. The Holy Roman Empire had to stop them by whatever means available: crusades, the formation of the detested Inquisition. The narrative is rich and colourful and brings to life the personalities of the key players of the drama over a 200 year period - I felt part of it and emotionally wrung-out at the end of the book. My first foray into Cathar history; its really wet my apetite to read more on the
subject and read more of Stephen O'Shea's works.

Intolerence, religious persecution - echoes from the past? - Rated
In a world of increasing religious intolerance and inquisitorial style detentions, lessons from the past become even more important. The treatment of the Cathars by the dominant Catholic authorities is one such experience that should not be repeated. The heresy was almost perfect, against all the church stood for, led by the Perfects and in many ways more akin to modern ideology than medieval Catholicism is. The book is similarly almost perfect. It is a highly illuminating account of the establishement, short rise and long fall of a group of heretics, their sympathetic overlords and the whole regional identity of languedoc.

Before reading this work I was relatively ignorant of the internal crusades of Christendom. The Perfect Hersey is a perfect introduction to this period and region, illustrating the sheer inhumanity of the treatment dealt to anyone foolish enough to be labelled a heretic or sympathiser to them. The names of Carcassone, Bezier and Toulouse will signify more than just pretty tourist destinations. And perhaps more importantly the book fills in a crucial gap, illustrating the importance of the Cathar hersey to the forging of a unified French monarch, a dominance of northern 'Langue D'Oi' culture and the creation of the infamous Inquisitions.

The book is a well written example of good narrative history. It is chronologically coherent, and provides an excellent starting point to anyone whose interest in the intrigues of the Catholic Church's past has been wetted by the attention given to the Da Vinci Code. Not a must read, but for any one with an interest in the area or period it is a vital introduction.

A lively overview of the conflict - Rated
This is a well written and lively introductory book covering the Albigensian crusade in Southern France (but not, as the title might suggest, the Cathar movement more generally). As with Jonathan Sumption's similar book "The Albigensian Crusade" it is an overview of the period, the personalities and the reasons for the crusade. It is well written, concentrates on history rather than myth (although it does touch briefly upon the myths that have later arisen) and does an excellent job of bringing the period and the people who lived in it to life.

Both this and Jonathan Sumption's book work very well as guides to this period of history, and in fairness either would make a good choice if you have an interest in this topic. My personal preference of the two was for this book as I found it somewhat fresher in tone and lighter in touch while still containing much the same level of information, it makes a surprisingly good holiday read whereas Jonathan Sumption's book has a slightly drier and more academic flavour. Ultimately though, both are good and both are well written, with this book being a little more accessible and Jonathan Sumption's book having better illustrative maps and plans.

An informative and evocative read - Rated
This book provides an excellent intoduction to the Cathars. O'Shea has the written ability and historical knowledge to give a superb account of the crusades which will provoke sustained interest.