High Middle Ages

===Heretical movements===
Christian [[Heresy|heresies]] existed in Europe before the 11th century but only in small numbers and of local character: in most cases, a rogue priest, or a village returning to pagan traditions. Beginning in the 11th century, however mass-movement heresies appeared. The roots of this can be partially sought in the rise of urban cities, free merchants, and a new money-based economy. The rural values of monasticism held little appeal to urban people who began to form sects more in tune with urban culture. The first large-scale heretical movements in Western Europe originated in the newly urbanized areas such as southern France and northern Italy and were probably influenced by the [[Bogomilism|Bogomils]] and other [[Dualistic cosmology|dualist movements]]. These heresies were on a scale the Catholic Church had never seen before and as such the response was one of elimination for some (such as the [[Cathars]]). Some Catholic monastic leaders, such as [[Francis of Assisi]], the founder of the [[Franciscans]], had to be recognized directly by the Pope so as not to be confused with actual heretical movements such as the [[Waldensians]].

====Cathars====
[[File:Cathars expelled.JPG|thumb|Cathars being expelled from [[Carcassonne]] in 1209]]

{{main|Catharism}}

'''Catharism''' was a movement with [[Gnosticism|Gnostic]] elements that originated around the middle of the 10th century, branded by the contemporary [[Roman Catholic Church]] as [[heresy|heretical]]. It existed throughout much of [[Western Europe]], but its origination was in [[Languedoc]] and surrounding areas in southern France.

The name ''Cathar'' stems from [[Greek language|Greek]] ''katharos'', "pure". One of the first recorded uses is [[Eckebert|Eckbert von Schönau]] who wrote on heretics from Cologne in 1181: "Hos nostra Germania catharos appellat." ([In] our Germany [one] calls these [people] "Cathars".)

The Cathars are also called '''Albigensians'''. This name originates from the end of the 12th century, and was used by the chronicler [[Geoffroy du Breuil]] of Vigeois in 1181. The name refers to the southern town of [[Albi]] (the ancient Albiga). The designation is hardly exact, for the centre was at [[Toulouse]] and in the neighbouring districts.

The [[Catharism|Albigensians]] were strong in southern France, northern Italy, and the southwestern [[Holy Roman Empire]].

The [[Bogomilism|Bogomils]] were strong in the [[Southeastern Europe]], and became the [[Bosnian Church|official religion supported by the Bosnian kings]].
* [[Dualistic cosmology|Dualists]] believed that historical events were the result of struggle between a good (spiritual) force and an evil (material) force and that the world was of the evil force, though it could be controlled or defeated through [[asceticism]] and good works.
* [[Albigensian Crusade]], [[Simon de Montfort, 5th Earl of Leicester|Simon de Montfort]], [[Montségur]], [[Château de Quéribus]]

====Waldensians====
{{Main|Waldensians}}
[[Peter Waldo]] of [[Lyon]] was a wealthy merchant who gave up his riches around 1175 after a religious experience and became a preacher. He founded the Waldensians which became a Christian sect believing that all religious practices should have strictly scriptural bases. Waldo was denied the right to preach his sermons by the Third Lateran Council in 1179, which he did not obey and continued to speak freely until he was excommunicated in 1184. Waldo was critical of the Christian clergy saying they did not live according to the word. He rejected the practice of selling indulgences ([[simony]]), as well as the common saint cult practices of the day.

Waldensians are considered a forerunner to the [[Protestant Reformation]], and they melted into [[Protestantism]] with the outbreak of the Reformation and became a part of the wider [[Reformed tradition]] after the views of [[John Calvin]] and his theological successors in [[Geneva]] proved very similar to their own theological thought. Waldensian churches still exist, located on several continents.