CHAPTER IV.--THE ALBIGENSIAN CRUSADES.

Policy of the Church towards Heresy 129

Suppression of Heresy in the Nivernais 130

Translations of Scripture forbidden at Metz 131

Power of Raymond VI. of Toulouse 132

Condition of the Church in his Dominions 134

Innocent III. Undertakes the Suppression of Heresy 136

The Prelates Refuse their Aid 137

Arnaud of Citeaux Sent as Chief Legate 139

Fruitless Effort to Organize a Crusade in 1204 139

The Bishop of Osma and St. Dominic Urge Fresh Efforts in 1206 141

Attempt to Organize a Crusade in 1207 144

Murder of Pierre de Castelnau, Jan. 16, 1208 145

Crusade successfully Preached in 1208 147

Raymond's Efforts to Avert the Storm 149

His Submission and Penance; Duplicity of Innocent III 150

Raymond Directs the Crusade against the Vicomte de Béziers 153

Sack of Béziers.--Surrender of Carcassonne 154

Pedro of Aragon and Simon de Montfort 157

De Montford Accepts the Conquered Territories.--His Difficulties 159

Raymond Attacked.--Deceit Practised by the Church 162

His Desperate Efforts to Avert a Rupture 166

First Siege of Toulouse.--Raymond Gradually Overpowered 167

Intervention of Pedro of Aragon 170

Raymond Prejudged.--Trial Denied him 173

Pedro Declares War.--Battle of Muret, Sept. 13, 1213 175

De Montfort's Vicissitudes.--Pious Fraud of the Legate 178

Raymond Deposed and Replaced by De Montfort 179

The Lateran Council.--It Decides in De Montfort's Favor 181

Rising of the People under the Younger Raymond 184

Second Siege of Toulouse in 1217.--Death of De Montfort 185

Crusade of Louis Cœur-de-Lion.--Third Siege of Toulouse 187

Raymond VII. Recovers his Lands.--Recrudescence of Heresy 189

Negotiations Opened.--Death of Philip Augustus 190

Louis VIII. Proposes a Crusade.--Raymond Makes Terms with the Church 191

Duplicity of Honorius III.--Council of Bourges, Nov. 1225 193

Louis Organizes the Crusade in 1226 197

His Conquering Advance.--His Retreat and Death 199

Desultory War in 1227.--Negotiations in 1228 201

Treaty of Paris, April, 1229.--Persecution Established 203