Béziers
Location: St. Nazaire Cathedral on the banks of the River Orb, Béziers, Hérault, Languedoc-Roussillon, France.
Béziers, one of the oldest cities in France (dating from 525 BC), and only 10 km from the Mediterranean, has suffered terribly in its tumultuous past. It was a Languedoc stronghold of Catharism, which the Catholic Church condemned as heretical and which Catholic forces exterminated in the Albigensian Crusade. In July 1209 Béziers was the first place to be attacked and when the Catholic population were invited to surrender the Cathars to the Crusaders, or suffer the same fate, they refused. This resulted in the death of 20,000 people of all ages, sex and religions.
The invaders burned the cathedral of Saint Nazaire, which collapsed on those who had taken refuge inside. The town was pillaged and burnt. None were left alive.
When asked by a Crusader how to tell Catholics from Cathars once they had taken the city, the abbot supposedly replied, Caedite eos. Novit enim Dominus qui sunt eius. "Kill them. For the Lord knew His own." (Hmm)
However, repairs to the Cathedral started in 1215, and along with the rest of the city continued until the 15th century.
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Béziers
Location: St. Nazaire Cathedral on the banks of the River Orb, Béziers, Hérault, Languedoc-Roussillon, France.
Béziers, one of the oldest cities in France (dating from 525 BC), and only 10 km from the Mediterranean, has suffered terribly in its tumultuous past. It was a Languedoc stronghold of Catharism, which the Catholic Church condemned as heretical and which Catholic forces exterminated in the Albigensian Crusade. In July 1209 Béziers was the first place to be attacked and when the Catholic population were invited to surrender the Cathars to the Crusaders, or suffer the same fate, they refused. This resulted in the death of 20,000 people of all ages, sex and religions.
The invaders burned the cathedral of Saint Nazaire, which collapsed on those who had taken refuge inside. The town was pillaged and burnt. None were left alive.
When asked by a Crusader how to tell Catholics from Cathars once they had taken the city, the abbot supposedly replied, Caedite eos. Novit enim Dominus qui sunt eius. "Kill them. For the Lord knew His own." (Hmm)
However, repairs to the Cathedral started in 1215, and along with the rest of the city continued until the 15th century.
If you like interesting, popular places and subjects, click below to check out more:-
www.flickriver.com/photos/micky_b/popular-interesting