albi

[piattort]

I once owned a book written about the religious practices and well recorded everyday life in the small french town of Albi. I left it in England in 1987, and can't find any information on it anywhere. Has anyone heard of it, and how can I obtain a copy?

[waimarie]

Hi piattort, Albi is famously known for the Alibigensian Crusade of the early 13th century and the Cathar heresy. The local people suffered unvelievable horrors at the hands of the sanctimonious invading forces (of you know who). There are literally hundreds of books on the subject and they make fascinating reading. Try Google or Amazon. Just thought, your local public library should make a good start (and cheaper !!)

[Dingoeater]

I believe the book is:

Montaillou
by Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie

It contains the sort of detail to which you refer and was based, in the main, on the statements recorded by an inquisitor called Fournier.

[Dingoeater]

And, in related news, it's still in print:

http://www.bloomsbury.com/BookCatalog/ProductItem.asp?S=&sku=447955&EmailMe=&mscssid=15RU3RF7HU7B8NFNKMHLB0X0HHE3CPDA