The History of the Albigensian Crusade - (Paperback)

About the Book

First English translation of important contemporary source for the history of the Cathar heresy and the Albigensian crusade.

Book Synopsis

First English translation of important contemporary source for the history of the Cathar heresy and the Albigensian crusade.

The Historia Albigensis is one of the most important sources for the history of the Cathar heresy and the Albigensian crusade. This new translation makes the work available in English for the first time. The Historiawas written between about 1212 and 1218 by Peter, a young monk at the Cistercian abbey of les Vaux-de-Cernay, where his uncle Guy was abbot. Guy took part in the preaching mission against heresy in 1207 and later played an important part in the crusade and became bishop of Carcassonne. Peter several times accompanied his uncle, and not only met those involved in the crusade, but himself witnessed many episodes. The Historiathus contains a wealth offirsthand detail about the personalities and events of the crusade, and about contemporary warfare. An introduction and extensive notes draw on other contemporary sources and on recent scholarship; nine appendices range from the policies of Innocent III to the technical terms used to describe fortifications, also providing translations of other important contemporary sources. W.A. SIBLY read classics at Balliol College, Oxford; his son M.D. SIBLY read history at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.

Review Quotes

This meticulous translation will widen knowledge of a distinctive narrative and is warmly to be welcomed. ENGLISH HISTORICAL REVIEW The Albigensian crusade always needed careful public relations... by giving us the whole work in translation the Siblys clearly reveal Peter as a second-rate spin doctor. For this very reason he is of course invaluable, and this book deserves to be read by a wider audience than heresy and crusade enthusiasts.-- "HISTORY"