Morgane Fortin, Université Paris Nanterre; Fellow, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
This video describes Jewish life in 13th century southern France according to the Song of the
Albigensian Crusade (Canso de la crozada) written in old Occitan by William of Tudela (Guilhèm de Tudèla). This presentation explains how one can learn about Jewish life during the period of the Albigensian Crusade (1209-1229) from this song, including details about their location in Languedoc, the changes they witnessed and suffered, and their relations with Christians, especially their local lords.
Video
Primary Source Reading
- Bibliothèque nationale de France, Ms. Français 25425 [available online:
https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b60006868/f9.image] - La chanson de la croisade contre les Albigeois commencée par Guillaume de Tudèle et continuée par un poète anonyme, vols. 1-2. Paul Meyer, ed., and trans., Paris, 1879.
- William of Tudela, The song of the Cathar wars: a history of the Albigensian Crusade. Janet
Shirley, trans. Aldershot, England, Ashgate, Crusade texts in translation, n˚ 2, 1996. - Copy of the “Stone of Olot”, Musée juif de Béziers.
- Bibliothèque nationale de France, Languedoc Doat 62, f. 9-14v. (1204).
Further Reading
- Ben-Shalom, Ram, The Jews of Provence and Languedoc, trad. Shmuel Sermoneta-Gertel. Liverpool University Press: Liverpool UK, 2024.
- Graham-Leigh, Elaine. The Southern French Nobility and the Albigensian Crusade. Woodbridge: Boydell, 2005.
- Mundy,John Hine. Studies in the ecclesiastical and social history of Toulouse in the age of the Cathars. Aldershot, 2006.
- O’Brien, John M. “Jews and Cathars in Medieval France.” Comparative Studies in Society and History, 1968, vol. 10:2, 215-220.
Discussion Questions
- Were the Jews living apart from their Christian neighbors in medieval southern France?
What does the Song of the Albigensian crusade reveal about relationship between Jews and local lords (viscount of Béziers, count of Toulouse) in the 13th century? - Is the Song a reliable source for historians? Why? After reading this chronicle, what other
sources can help historians in understanding Jewish life during the Middle Ages?
Cite
Fortin, Morgane. "Jewish Life in 13th Century Southern France According to a Christian Vernacular Epic Chronicle," Middle Ages for Educators, November 24, 2024. Accessed [date]. https://middleagesforeducators.princeton.edu/jewish-life-13-th-century-southern-france-according-christian-vernacular-epic-chronicle