High Middle Ages

====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]]