303: The Bloodiest Crusade

This podcast episode delves into the brutal and bloody conflict of the Albigensian Crusade in the 13th century, launched by the Catholic Church against the Cathars in southern France. The episode explores the origins of the crusade, the escalating tensions, the burning of Béziers, the capture of Carcassonne, the siege of Toulouse, and the aftermath of the crusade. It also discusses the question of whether the Cathars were heretics, the perspective of the Albigeois, the construction of heresy, and the Cathars' response to the accusations. The episode explores the motivations and methods of key figures such as Simon de Montfort and Dominic de Guzman, and it reflects on the romanticization of the Cathars and their enduring legacy.