Abstract This paper considers the period of c.1100 - 1215, which was an epoch that was marked by the Catholic Church's war against heretics. The paper first identifies the three different heretical movements and then reflects upon the means that the Church used to try and defeat these movements, religious groups, and apparent sects, In the conclusion, the paper attempts to determine the degree of success that was achieved.
Outline:
Introduction
Historical Heretic Movements
The Waldensian Heresy
Bolomilism, Paulicianism, and Manichaeism
The Cathars
Conclusion
From the Paper "The Cathars, who mainly inhabited the Languedoc region of France, were also an alternative and popular movement that experienced spectacular success in attaining conversions. A phenomenon, such as had not been seen by the Roman Church since the early days of Christianity, the belief was rapidly expanding throughout and beyond the southern regions of France. The threat of this was so great that the Church offered "legally sanctioned dominion over conquered lands to northern French nobles and the King of France" (The Chronicle of William of Puylaurens, Introduction, 2003). Therefore, political and economic gain were important contributing factors, with royalty essentially behaving as Catholic mercenaries, who then received whole areas of France."
