The Albigensian Crusade

The Albigensian Crusade (1209-1229) was a military campaign initiated by the Catholic Church to eliminate the Cathar heresy in southern France, particularly in the region around Albi. The Cathars, who believed in dualism and rejected many Catholic teachings, posed a significant challenge to the Church's authority. The crusade involved brutal warfare, as royal and papal forces sought to suppress the Cathars and their supporters. The campaign led to widespread destruction and significant loss of life, ultimately reinforcing the Church's power but also leading to increased tension and conflict between different faiths and communities in medieval Europe.