Description
Book SynopsisThe question of the reality of Cathars and other heresies is debated in this provocative collection. Cathars have long been regarded as posing the most organised challenge to orthodox Catholicism in the medieval West, even as a "counter-Church" to orthodoxy in southern France and northern Italy. Their beliefs, understood to be inspired by Balkan dualism, are often seen as the most radical among medieval heresies. However, recent work has fiercely challenged this paradigm, arguing instead that "Catharism" is a construct, mis-named and mis-represented by generations of scholars, and its supposedly radical views were a fantastical projection of the fears of orthodox commentators. This volume brings together a wide range of views from some of the most distinguished internationalscholars in the field, in order to address the debate directly while also opening up new areas for research. Focussing on dualism and anti-materialist beliefs in southern France, Italy and the Balkans, it considers a number of crucial issues. These include: what constitutes popular belief; how (and to what extent) societies of the past were based on the persecution of dissidents; and whether heresy can be seen as an invention of orthodoxy. At the same time, the essays shed new light on some key aspects of the political, cultural, religious and economic relationships between the Balkans and more western regions of Europe in the Middle Ages. Antonio Sennis is Senior Lecturer in Medieval History at University College London Contributors: John H. Arnold, Peter Biller, Caterina Bruschi, David d'Avray, Jörg Feuchter, Bernard Hamilton, R.I. Moore, Mark Gregory Pegg, Rebecca Rist, Lucy J. Sackville, Antonio Sennis, Claire Taylor, Julien Théry-Astruc, Yuri Stoyanov
Trade ReviewNew methodological approaches have been opened up and existing narratives and conclusions completely reevaluated. . . . [I]t does indeed seems appropriate to say goodbye to the 'Cathars' and 'Catharism' as they have up to now been known historically. * SPECULUM *
This important collection of essays addresses a fundamental question. * JOURNAL OF ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY *
An enjoyable and stimulating read. This is a volume that is indispensable for historians of medieval heresy, but its sharp focus on important methodological questions ensures that there is much of interest here for historians beyond this field. * JOURNAL OF RELIGIOUS HISTORY, LITERATURE AND CULTURE *
[A] rich and thought-provoking collection. * FRENCH HISTORY *
Table of ContentsQuestions about the Cathars - Antonio Sennis The Paradigm of Catharism; or, the Historians' Illusion - Mark Pegg The Cathar Middle Ages as a Methodological and Historiographical Problem - John H Arnold The Heretical Dissidence of the 'Good Men' in the Albigeois [1276-1329]: Localism and Resistance to Roman Clericalism - Julien Théry-Astruc The Heretici of Languedoc: Local Holy Men and Women or Organized Religious Group? New Evidence from Inquisitorial, Notarial and Historiographical Sources - Jörg Feuchter Cathar Links with the Balkans and Byzantium - Bernard Hamilton Pseudepigraphic and Parabiblical Narratives and Elements in Medieval Eastern Christian Dualism and Their Implications for the Rise and Evolution of Catharism - Yuri Stoyanov The Cathars from Non-Catholic Sources - David d'Avray Converted-Turned-Inquisitors and the Image of the Adversary: Ranier Sacconi Explains Cathars - Caterina Bruschi The Textbook Heretic: Moneta of Cremona's Cathars - Lucy Sackville 'Lupi rapaces in ovium vestimentis': Heretics and Heresy in Papal Correspondence - Rebecca Rist Looking for the 'Good Men' in the Languedoc: an alternative to 'Cathars'? - Claire Taylor Principles at Stake: The debate of April 2013 in retrospect - R I Moore Goodbye to Catharism? - Peter Biller
