In the thirteenth century, the Catholic Church declared a holy war against a group of Christian heretics in the South of France. The Albigensian Crusade became notorious for its brutality and gave rise to a new regime of feudal oppression and religious conformity in Languedoc. It was a defining moment in the history of medieval Europe.

Elaine Graham-Leigh, historian and the author of The Southern French Nobility and the Albigensian Crusade, joins Long Reads to discuss this crusade and its relevance to modern forms of racial and religious oppression.

Read Elaine's article for Jacobin, "The Medieval Crusade Against the Cathars Supplied a Template for Modern Oppression" here: https://jacobin.com/2023/01/albigensian-crusade-marxist-history-feudal-power-catholic-church-capitalism-oppression

Long Reads is a Jacobin podcast looking in-depth at political topics and thinkers, both contemporary and historical, with the magazine’s longform writers. Hosted by features editor Daniel Finn. Produced by Conor Gillies, music by Knxwledge.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.