Blessed Martyrs of Avignonet a.k.a. "Blessed Guillaume Arnaud and 10 Companions" | |
---|---|
Martyrs | |
Died | 28 May 1242 Avignonet-Lauragais, France |
Honored in | Roman Catholic Church |
Beatified | 6 September 1866, Rome by Pope Pius IX |
Feast | 29 May |
Attributes | Religious habits Martyr's palm Swords piercing their bodies Murdered by Cathars |
The Avignonet massacre occurred on the eve of 28 May 1242 when a small force, mainly consisting of Cathars, massacred a group of inquisitors during the Albigensian Crusade.
Guillaume Arnaud and Etienne de Saint-Thibery, the chief inquisitors of the County of Toulouse were visiting Avignonet. [1] [2] Arnaud and Saint-Thibery were lodged at the castle of Raymond VII, Count of Toulouse. [1] The count's nephew, Raymond d'Alfaro sent a letter to Montsegur, where there were a number of prominent Cathars, including Pierre Roger. [1] [2] The letter informed Pierre Roger that the inquisitors were in Avignonet. [2]
Pierre Roger set out for Avignonet with about 15 knights and 40 horse riding sergeants, which was about half of his Montsegur garrison. [3] Pierre Roger stopped at the town of Gaja-la-Selve, taking up a reserve position while the others continued. [1] [2]
By nightfall, the raiders had arrived at Avignonet. [1] A messenger continued to give them information about the activities of the inquisitors. [1] Sympathetic locals opened the gates for the raiders [1] [2] [3] and twelve knights and fifteen locals marched toward the castle. [3] The raiders broke down the castle door and hacked the inquisitors to death. [1] Eleven men died. [1] The castle was then looted. [1] [2]
The massacre was celebrated by Cathars in short vernacular songs ( coblas esparsas). [4] Eventually, the French government decided to crack down on the Cathars, resulting in the Siege of Montségur from 1243 to 1244. [3]
The twelve victims at Avignonet were: [5]
They are recognized as martyrs by the Catholic Church and were beatified on 6 September 1866 by Pope Pius IX. [5]
Blessed Martyrs of Avignonet a.k.a. "Blessed Guillaume Arnaud and 10 Companions" | |
---|---|
Martyrs | |
Died | 28 May 1242 Avignonet-Lauragais, France |
Honored in | Roman Catholic Church |
Beatified | 6 September 1866, Rome by Pope Pius IX |
Feast | 29 May |
Attributes | Religious habits Martyr's palm Swords piercing their bodies Murdered by Cathars |
The Avignonet massacre occurred on the eve of 28 May 1242 when a small force, mainly consisting of Cathars, massacred a group of inquisitors during the Albigensian Crusade.
Guillaume Arnaud and Etienne de Saint-Thibery, the chief inquisitors of the County of Toulouse were visiting Avignonet. [1] [2] Arnaud and Saint-Thibery were lodged at the castle of Raymond VII, Count of Toulouse. [1] The count's nephew, Raymond d'Alfaro sent a letter to Montsegur, where there were a number of prominent Cathars, including Pierre Roger. [1] [2] The letter informed Pierre Roger that the inquisitors were in Avignonet. [2]
Pierre Roger set out for Avignonet with about 15 knights and 40 horse riding sergeants, which was about half of his Montsegur garrison. [3] Pierre Roger stopped at the town of Gaja-la-Selve, taking up a reserve position while the others continued. [1] [2]
By nightfall, the raiders had arrived at Avignonet. [1] A messenger continued to give them information about the activities of the inquisitors. [1] Sympathetic locals opened the gates for the raiders [1] [2] [3] and twelve knights and fifteen locals marched toward the castle. [3] The raiders broke down the castle door and hacked the inquisitors to death. [1] Eleven men died. [1] The castle was then looted. [1] [2]
The massacre was celebrated by Cathars in short vernacular songs ( coblas esparsas). [4] Eventually, the French government decided to crack down on the Cathars, resulting in the Siege of Montségur from 1243 to 1244. [3]
The twelve victims at Avignonet were: [5]
They are recognized as martyrs by the Catholic Church and were beatified on 6 September 1866 by Pope Pius IX. [5]