Peter of Castelnau

Peter of Castelnau was a 13th-century Cistercian monk and a key figure in the Albigensian Crusade, which aimed to suppress the Cathar heresy in southern France. He is known for his efforts to promote Roman Catholic doctrine and for advocating for peace in a time of religious conflict. In 1208, he was assassinated by agents of the local ruler while traveling to negotiate with the Cathars, an act that galvanized support for the crusade. Peter was later recognized as a martyr, and his legacy symbolizes the struggles between different religious beliefs during the medieval period.