On March 16, 1244, over 200 Cathars were captured in their fortress stronghold of Montsegur and were burned alive by troops of the Inquisition. While some Cathar enclaves survived into the next century, this was the death blow to a religion that had been a powerful symbol of Occitain sovereignty against the designs of the French monarchy and the papacy. History has recorded that four high-ranking Cathar perfecticarried a great treasure out of Montsegur the night before its fall, a fact that led rebel Huguenots of the 17th century and members of Hitler's S.S. to believe that an enormous treasure or weapon of awesome spiritual power lay hidden somewhere nearby the ruins of the former Cathar stronghold. Seeking to untangle the true from the false, Celtic and medieval scholar Jean Markale meticulously searches through the obscure history of the Cathars, tracing their roots back to the ancient Zoroastrian religion of Persia. He examines what earned the Cathars--who practiced vegetarianism, non-violence, and tolerance--the ruthless persecution of both the Church and the state. He explores their doctrine, their place in medieval Occitain culture, and their secret pact with the Knights Templar. Most important, he uses all available documentation to reveal the nature of the treasure the Cathars spirited away from their fortress at Montsegur the night before its surrender to French troops.

About the Author
Jean Markale (1928-2008), was a poet, philosopher, historian, and storyteller, who spent a lifetime researching pre-Christian and medieval culture and spirituality. He was a former specialist in Celtic studies at the Sorbonne and author of more than 40 books, including The Templar Treasure at Gisors, The Druids, The Celts, Merlin, and Women of the Celts.

Reviews
"Readers are certain to find Markale's answer revealing, if not altogether disturbing." * Frank Joseph, Fate, March 2004, Vol 57 No 3 Issue 647, *
"Presents a very focused and fascinating treatise with enough detail to satisfy even the most knowledgeable Cathar scholar." * Robert Buratti, New Dawn, July/August 2004, No.85 *
"The amount of information in this book is astounding. . . and it is written in a highly intelligent manner." * Kerri Connor, Circle of Stones, Fall 2004, Vol.1 Issue 6 *
"Combining impeccable scholarship with an imaginative insight, Markale illumnates a critical nexus in the development of Western religious history--one that has long been shrouded in darkness. The relevance of the Cathar doctrine to modern spiritual development is also confirmed by his analysis." * James Wasserman, author of The Templars and the Assassins and Art and Symbols of the Occult *
"In this remarkable book, poet-historian Jean Markale evokes the spirit of the land where the Cathars walked in the light of their faith and were martyred by the Inquisition. Deftly navigating eddies of fact, fiction, and folklore concerning their treasure, he debunks frivolous speculation and rumor while allowing those theories supported by evidence to survive." * Margaret Starbird, author of The Woman with the Alabaster Jar *
"Markale's book strips away the mythology and nonsense of the Cathar legend to reveal their true courage and honor. . . " * Mysteries Magazine, Vol. 2, #4, Issue #7 *
"If you are looking for a scholarly read that explores the Cathars and untangles myth from fact with many Celtic and Druid references, [this book] is highly recommended." * Tony Taylor, Henge Happenings, Issue 69, Feb 2006 *
". . . enjoyable, filled with interesting information. . . . The final chapter in Montsegur and the Mystery of the Cathars will be particularly interesting to those awaiting the release of Otto Rahn's work on the Cathars later this year." * Institute for Hermetic Studies, Aug 2006 *
"Thankfully, [Markale's] Montsegur and the Mystery of the Cathars is a solidly and scholarly work which depels the most egregious of myths." * Mysteries Magazine, Vol. 2, #4, Issue #7 *
"[Markale's] descriptions of the wild Breton moors and the inaccessible peaks of the Pyrenees are described with a bardic grandeur that is befitting of his poetic roots." * Mysteries Magazine, Vol. 2, #4, Issue #7 *



Book Information
ISBN 9780892810901
Author Jean Markale
Format Paperback
Page Count 312
Imprint Inner Traditions Bear and Company
Publisher Inner Traditions Bear and Company
Weight(grams) 508g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 18mm