this historian from Baziège is interested in religion in Lauragais in his latest work

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It’s the 11th^e book of Lucien Ariès. Well-known author in Lauragais, this resident of Baziège passionate about history just released a new book. Its title: And Le Lauragais was exposed as a prey. A name which refers to the crusade against the Albigensians, an expedition launched by Pope Innocent III in the 13th century^e century. “The Lauragais had become Cathar. The lords had been dispossessed of their lands, given to those who wanted to take them, weapons in hand,” explains the writer native of Castelnaudary.

In this new book, the president of the Baziégeoise Roots and Environment Research Association (ARBRE) – which publishes the work – was interested to the question of religion in Lauragais. “To explain the crusade against the Albigensians, I wanted to show the progression of religious thought from Christianization to the Cathar era and even beyond. »

The epicenter of Catharism

An idea that is his comes naturallyhe indicates to Voice of Midi Lauragais. “Lauragais is a region in which I work a lot. Since the dawn of time, religion has played a large part in its development. ” In And Le Lauragais was exposed as a preythe author sought to understand why the territory was considered the epicenter of Catharism.

The answer? “It’s complicated,” admits the honorary emeritus professor of Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier University. “The influence of the invaders is not negligible. Lauragais was invaded by the Visigoths in the V^e century, for more than a century. They were Christians but their Christianity was close to that of the Cathars. This aspect has been neglected but I think it may have influenced local Christianity. »

The book also returns to several events that Lucien Ariès often discusses in conferences and who have marked the history of Lauragais : the siege of Castelnaudary, the battle of Saint-Martin-Lalande in 1211, the battle of Baziège in 1219, the assassination of the inquisitors at Avignonet-Lauragais in 1242…

What subject for his next book?

For his next book, nothing has been decided yet. However, Lucien Ariès already has some leads. He could write a novel or be interested in the Second World Warand the evolution of Lauragais since this major historical event. “I was born in the 1940s so I witnessed it and I would like to talk about it,” he explains.

In the meantime, Lucien Ariès will present And the Lauragais was exposed as a prey Saturday October 5 at 5 p.m. in La Coopé de Baziège room, where he will play the signing game before an aperitif. The author will also sign his book at the Hyper U in Villefranche-de-Lauragais, on Saturday October 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

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