VII The martyrdom of the Cathars, a photo from Midi-Pyrénées, Sud

Photographer's Note

VII: The martyrdom of the Cathars

Final photo illustrating the dramatic end of the Cathars in 1244, when more than 220 Cathars that left the castle at the morning of March 16th 1244 walked down the rocky cliff to be burned at he stake after been at sige for 10 months in the castle Montsegur. Those 220 Cathars denied to give up their fate for the Catholic Church and then suffered this horrible faith.

This monument commemorating the martyrdom of the Cathars – placed closed to the place were it all ended.

The self-assurance of the martyrs, and the mystery surrounding the safe hiding place of their ‘treasure’, still fascinates scholars and all those who are true to the tradition of Occitania or who followed sects that promote Cathar philosophy.

Cathasrism
According to certain historians, Catharism arrived in Occetania from Asia Minor during the 10th century. Catharism was a dualistic religion, their philosophy being based on the opposition of Good versus Evil. Good was considered to being close to spirituality; the opposite of Evil represented by the material world.

Catharism was particularly well anchored in certain regions of Europe, notably in Occitania but also in Northern Italy, Switzerland and Bourgogne.

In contrast to the Catholic Church, a large part of whose clergy were wealthy, the Cathars advocated a simple and frugal life. It had its own sacraments, including one, the Consolamentum, administered to people on their deathbed to allow them entry into heaven. Even though some Cathars were reported after 1244, historians generally agree that the tragedy at Montsegur instigated the disappearance of Catharism.

Hope you have enjoyed my photos of the Montsegur story

Ref: The Green Guide Langedoc Roussillon and the Montesegur information sheet

Paolo, Janice, papagolf21, Galmeida, Albrecht, richtersl, ChrisJ, hugolef, ainem, Xalkida, dkeus31, carper, nwoehnl, jmdaoudal, Gregtom trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

Paolo (41258) 2005-12-14 4:45

I went there Jack, more than 15 years ago! and i remember that monument!
great shot, with a beautiful winter landscape, excellent light and POV.
thanks for the great note.
ciao

PixelTerror (0) 2005-12-14 4:47

Hei Jack,
I'm always horrified by the number of people who have been killed in these religion wars, it's quite contrasting with the message these religions try to promote...
Nice path perspective well introduced by the monument and made clearer by the snow.
Still in Collioure ?
Have a nice day,
Jean-Yves

Janice (4403) 2005-12-14 5:31

Good POV here Jack, and I love seeing the snow. It is a lovely winter scene, but what history surrounding the area. Very interesting, TFS.

papagolf21 (152599) 2005-12-14 5:45

Cher Jack,
Si je comprends bien, vous êtes tombé amoureux de ces châteaux cathares qui ont une histoire tout à fait particulière. Nous ressentons à travers vos photographies, le plaisir que vous avez de présenter ces magnifiques trésors du passé.
J'aime beaucoup cette composition.
Amitiés.
Philippe

Galmeida (12559) 2005-12-14 6:14

Hi Jack,
Good Serie that you present us with this Cathars Castle and history. Good path perspective and angle approach in this place with beautiful snow and surroundings. Excelent DOF to the near Stone and a quality picture with splendid colors, sky, light, contrast and fine sharpness. Splendid enquadrement of the elements in the frame.

Congratulations and thanks for sharing. My best Regards.
Fernando

Albrecht (11283) 2005-12-14 6:19

Hi Jack
Love to see this kind of simple landscape that are beautiful and well chosen. Good compo, POV, DOF and colours.
* thanks for sharing *
Albrecht

richtersl (3546) 2005-12-14 7:06

Very good POV. The monument is well placed to the side, giving us a chance to admire the landscape. Excellent note.

ChrisJ (159862) 2005-12-14 7:28

Hello Jack

The snow accentuates the superb graphism. Excellent sharpness color & pov. Well done!

hugolef (4913) 2005-12-14 8:13

Hello Jack
a nice series on Cathars ... i think this one (and the others with such colors) works well with this martyrdom ... there is a special atmosphere at first sight, and before reading the note, i knew it was on a such subject. So well done
Good compo and series
Regards, hugues

ainem (252) 2005-12-14 10:49

Hello Jack,
merci pour ton text, apres lequel on regerde ton photo autrement.Silence en hiver-tu a bien enregistre cet atmosphere.

regards
Monika

Xalkida (11744) 2005-12-14 13:19

Hi Jack

Great shot. The atmosphere is fantastic. I like the POV, light and colors. Very nice job.

dkeus31 (27739) 2005-12-14 13:27

Hi Jack,
A nicely composed image, well lighted.
Regards,
Didier

carper (96) 2005-12-14 13:30

I like this one Jack,
very nice depth view in winter time, good atmosphere in the shot. good job,
gr. jaap

nwoehnl (122) 2005-12-14 13:35

Nice conclusion for your series, Jack. Again a cheerful landscape with the early-winter decor, and a good framing in which the monument at the fg left opens a good compositional diagonal towards the upper right direction. I think in terms of sharpness and contrasted presentation this one leaves nothing to be desired. Interesting notes, too.

jmdaoudal (82) 2005-12-15 13:03

These Montsegur photos and stories have been very interesting.. And I knew already the sad end of the story... If Cathars have gone today for the reason you wrote there is still a strong local identity there thought difference and practices like a language in this part of our country and this of no risk for anybody :))
The composition is very good with a perfect position of the "stele" and a good light covering the whole picture.
Compliments
jean Michel

Gregtom (7169) 2005-12-22 2:44

Hello, Jack!
Very interesting shot with well composed and arranged first plane and well placed path leading into the deep of the cadre. Very interesting note! I like the memorial stone, it reminds me a kind of penance stone crosses, which are popular on the Lower Silesia in Poland. Thanks for showing it!
regards,
Greg

jasmis (58631) 2005-12-22 5:51

Classic Cathars' motive. Well done. I see this place in snow for the first time. By the way this photo: http://www.treknature.com/gallery/photo4260.htm has been taken exactly on this stone monument!

bazal (7900) 2006-01-06 4:25

Hi Jack, and happy new year !
I like the simplicity and the beauty of this composition that fits well with the Cathar philosophy. Thanks for sharing...