Heresy and inquisition in France, 1200-1300 (Manchester Medieval Sources)

Heresy and inquisition in France, 1200-1300 is an invaluable collection of primary sources in translation. It provides students and specialists alike with direct access to a wide array of materials on heresy and the persecution of heresy in medieval France.

The book is divided into eight sections, each of which is devoted to a different genre of source material, from texts created by heretics themselves to extracts from chronicles and learned treatises and little tales used by preachers in their sermons. The book notably contains substantial material pertaining to the setting up and practice of inquisition into heretical wickedness, providing a much more detailed insight into the practical and legal issues arising and a very large amount of material translated from the registers of inquisition trials. Each source is introduced fully and is accompanied by reference to helpful modern commentary. The translations are full and generous, giving substantial access to the whole text wherever possible. The 'heretics' found within are predominantly those found in the south of France, known to modern scholars as Cathars, but the book also presents fascinating material on the north of France, on Waldensian heretics, and on the Church's activities against heresy in other parts of the country. The study of heresy and inquisition has always aroused considerable scholarly debate - with this book, students and scholars can form their own interpretation of the key issues, from the texts written in the period itself.

The collection will appeal to students and lecturers in medieval history, medieval studies and religious studies.