“Mary Magdalene and Montsegur”, Original figurative painting of Mary Magdalene in red, green, and white in front of Montsegur in France, 48” x 60”, Oil on linen.

Linda Dalton Walker Contemporary Artist, Original figurative art of Mary Magdalene in red, green, and white in front of Montsegur in France, Cathars believed there was both an early Christ, who was the husband or consort of Mary Magdalene, and a heavenly Christ, who was the Pure among the pure, “Mary Magdalene and Montsegur”, 48” x 60”, Oil on linen, $4,500.00.

MARY MAGDALENE AND MONTSEGUR

Pope Innocent III called crusades to be fought in France. Local heretics, not Muslims, were now the important enemy. The group targeted for death was the Cathars, who followed a religious pathway apart from the Roman Catholic Church.

The Cathars condemned many things dear to the Roman Church, such as the ornate vestments, the holy relics, the lavish altars, the bread and wine, and the cross itself. The Cathars saw no scriptural justification for a pope. Pope Innocent III had been ruthless in his demands for the total supremacy of the papacy throughout the western world. In addition, Cathars believed there was both an earthly Christ, who was the husband or consort of Mary Magdalene, and a heavenly Christ, who was the Pure among the pure.

     The church approved the burning to death of everyone that could be identified, or even suspected, as a Cathar.

     In May 1243, an army consisting of ten thousand men, a surprising number given both the time and the mountainous nature of the region, took position around Montsegur (deep in the vales of the Ariege Pyreenees, France) and marked the beginning of what would become a  year-long siege. Enormous stone throwers, some only three hundred feet from the castle ramparts, were set up to help gain control.

     The population of the Montsegur pog at the time of the siege was about five hundred. All those who surrendered would have their lives spared and be left alone, if they made sincere confession of their sins and took an oath to follow the Roman Catholic Church.

     On the night before the surrender, four perfecti escaped. Did they carry certain secrets – documents to be stored in a safe place?

     Two hundred five Cathars refused to confess their errors and persisted in their faith. A pyre was immediately erected, and the “heretics” hastened to it, singing like people who were assured of returning to the original purity of a time when evil had not yet troubled the progress of the world. 

    

 (In part from Montsegur and the Mystery of the Cathars by Jean Markale & dungeon, Fire and Sword by John J Robinson)

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