The Yellow Cross: The Story of the Last Cathars 1290-1329 - Softcover

Weis, Rene

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0140276696 ISBN 13: 9780140276695

Publisher: Penguin, 2001

Synopsis

In the 13th century, a group of heretics in southwest France, the Cathars, became a serious threat to the Catholic church. In several waves of repression, thousands of Cathars were killed. Yet so ardent was their faith that, early in the next century, the Cathars rose one last time. Using the breathtakingly detailed and uniquely extant documentation from this period, and drawing on his intimate knowledge of the last Cathars' tracks and hiding places, many of which survive to this day, René Weis tells the full story of this gripping historical episode.

About this title

Review:

"There can be fewer better guides than this beautiful book, which lets an almost forgotten people, even through the filter of time and the Inquisition, speak for themselves." --"The Washington Post Book World" "In a feat of inspired scholarship, Weis transports us back to that world, conveying all of the high drama of ecclesiastical interrogations, covert ceremonies, and fiery martyrdom. . . . A book that will long haunt its readers."--"Booklist""This book reanimates the real world of the Cathars of seven hundred years ago in a way that is fresh, utterly modern, and pulsates with life."-Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie, author of "Montaillou""""It succeeds enthrallingly . . . a moving evocation of an almost inconceivable faith."--"The Times" (London)

From the Publisher:

Praise for 'The Yellow Cross' by Rene Weis:
‘Refreshing and stimulating... the best account of the reality of Catharism we are likely to get in a very long time’ – The Times Literary Supplement

‘Brilliantly reconstructs the personal machinations and sexual intrigues by which the Cathars took over Montaillou, before falling victim to the Inquisition’ – Sunday Times, Books of the Year

‘A story with a powerful modern resonance, a story of treachery, betrayal, passion, greed, and heroism... my book of the year’ – Christopher Bland, Sunday Telegraph

‘Utterly absorbing’ – Daily Telegraph

‘In an utterly modern way, and with the freshness and vibrancy of real life, this book recaptures the Cathar experience in Languedoc 700 years ago’ – Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie, author of Montaillou

‘As a history of a ruthless extirpation, it succeeds enthrallingly’ – The Times

About this edition

• Publisher: Penguin
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0140276696
• ISBN 13: 9780140276695
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 528