Who Were The Cathars And What Was Their Daily Life Like?

For our fourth video in our ‘Day in the Life’ series we will travel back in time to the 13th century, where the spectre of heresy loomed large over all the regions of Europe. But especially in the Languedoc area of what is now South West France. Why was the Catholic Church so threatened by a group of celibate vegetarians? What were their beliefs? How were they connected to our old friends the Knights Templars? And what led to their tragic and shockingly violent end? Welcome to Medieval Madness.

0:00 Introduction
2:27 Heresy
3:15 Beliefs
4:49 Daily Life
6:15 Equal Rights
7:18 Enemies of the State
8:27 The Cathar Crusade
10:22 Massacre
11:57 Persecution
12:53 Genocide

Narrated by James Wade
Written by Lisa E Rawcliffe
Edited by James Wade & Adam Longster

Thank you for watching.

Copyright © 2022 Top5s All rights reserved. In this video, we've compiled information from a variety of sources, including documentaries, books, and websites, all with the aim of providing an engaging viewing experience. While we strive to ensure accuracy, we acknowledge that there may be variations in the authenticity of the content. We encourage viewers to delve deeper and conduct their own research to corroborate the information presented.

[monicacall]

I first encountered the Cathars in Umberto Ecco’s marvelous book “The Name of the Rose”. They were just one of several groups of people trying to protest the wealth and power of the Roman Catholic Church in Medieval times. These groups posed a serious threat to the RCC because they preached a life devoid of excesses and using the church to call up armies to go and ruthlessly crush the “heresy” that the Cathars, Albigensians, etc. we’re spreading throughout much of Europe at that time.

[---kelg]

I'm from the south west of France and I thank you so much for covering this. One of the cathedrals in my city still bears the scars of our resistence against oppression and malice.

[Misses-Hippy]

I live in Cather country in Roussillions. My village was burned to the ground 3 times, the last time, they torched the mayor, the cathedral and population hiding within it. The church was always rotten.

[doylekitchen]

Catharism came from the Bogomils that migrated from the Balkans in the 11th century. They were present in Northern Italy and most of France...especially in the Languedoc region.

[rheverend]

Just imagine all the different, odd little sects that we never heard of because the Catholic Church crushed them out.

[BunsBooks]

As an Eastern Orthodox I’m fascinated by this group and their history in relation to the RCC, what happened to them is horrible and unChrist-Like.

Their concept of evil is wild to me and I wonder how they got to that conclusion. I would have enjoyed having a conversation with one about it.
We explain the existence of evil through free will and ego. God loves us enough to give us choice in how we live, even if it means letting us harm ourselves or others. The Prodigal Son is a perfect depiction of this, the father honors the sons choice and gives him the inheritance even though he knows it will lead to not only the sons suffering but also the suffering of their whole family due to the loss of resource. But when the son comes crawling back in humility, the father sees him first and meets the him where he is and accepts him. Cause God doesn’t reject you, there is no place that is absent of God (who is love), instead it’s you yourself who refuse him. He allows us to make the choice to become united with him or not. We have our egos, our fallen/selfish nature, which we are meant to correct in the process of Theosis, but that process requires our consent. Obedience is an act of love, it’s a choice, if you perform obedience without that loving free will, then it is called duty, and God doesn’t want you to be duty bound to him, he wants you to live in a loving unity with his Energies

[Chillaxin]

Some walked into the flame voluntarily that’s intense

[isaibanez]

I must say, the music is on point in this one!

[nmsu]

The Albigensian Crusade seems to have become a blindspot in Medieval European history. As somebody who took GCSE History, AS and A-level history and somebody who would actively read about European Medieval history in my spare time; when I went to university aged 19; I was little prepared for what I was about to learn.

[spirituallevelofbeing]

I'm a Gnostic and I discuss Gnosticism and ancient Christianity. I also upload all the scriptures banned from the bible

[lara-cekg]

You are one of my favorite medieval channels to go to

[miserablecuss]

And they'd be flourishing today if it weren't for the Mandalorians!

[ahambrahmasmi-qkui]

There has been a revival of the Cathars. I went to a meeting of modern day Cathars. They claim to eat fish as well plant foods. The men wore blue frocks with maritime ish embroidery on the yoke "boats and waves etc" The ladies wore modest clothing inc head scarfs. I was so excited that this niche group had an open meeting in Covent. Garden uk. Id love to read The Book Love but it remains illusive.Wild to think of what became of those original Very Godly Cathars people . Thank you this great video as info on this group is pretty scarce ❤

[KapiteinKrentebol]

To be fair, the Cathars were pretty much spot on with their assesment of prevalent evil.

[SpiritOfTheRainbow]

Thank you for your contribution. The Cathars were known as "Good Christians" by their peers and this gives us the essence of what they were about: people who were trying to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and his early followers. Initiated Cathars - parfait(e)s - lived lives of simplicity, without material wealth, teaching and healing in the spirit of the apostles. Though the Church focused on their doctrine (which varied somewhat) it was their life, not their theology, that attracted people to them and alarmed the Church. If anyone is interested I have videos on Cathar women as well as their ultimate purpose and where they went.

[spineshivers]

Iron Maiden's song Montsegur describes them pretty well. The Catholic church too.

[siemprerosso]

There were many religious groups with basically same beliefs as Cathars. In Eastern Europe these groups were prosecuted and seen as enemy of the Church and the state. Bogumils were basically the same as Cathars with their beliefs and religion practices. Difference between them is that Cathars were allowed to congregate and dwell, while Bogumils were mainly seen as beggars, and were stripped of most rights. They could not own any land (not that they wanted it) on which they could build homes. There are two main reasons why these people were considered dangerous . They wouldn't recognize any authority nor pay any taxes to any institution. They also wouldn't bear any arms. Now, this would not be so dangerous if only poor people were of these beliefs. Main fear was that land owners along with his peasants would adopt these beliefs and practices. Threat of these people refusing to bear arms, send their people to war, or not to pay any taxes was huge to ruling authorities and Church. Bogumils were considered filthy and lazy and spreaders of numerous deseases. Orthodox church eagerly sparked hatred toward Bogumils among public, spreading lies about them. For instance, when someone's sheep or cow got stolen, Bogumils were first to blame.
Prosecution and killings of Bogumils proceeded well into 14th century, all the way until Ottoman Turks came to Balkans. By then they were pretty much eradicated.

[QueenetBowie]

A video on the Adamites would be very much appreciated!

[katsuyaki]

So in other words, the Cathars were spot-on in their criticism of the medieval Catholic church.

[TheDrivebynerf]

Didn't know allot of this. While listening my throat tightenedand I got uncharacteristic mad. Added thumbs up to video. Be good to see more independent video on topic