Table of Contents

Part 1 The Sights

1. A Long March to Montségur
2. The Castle of Montségur
3. The Castle of Quéribus
4. The Upper Ariège Valley
5. The Earldom of Razès

Part 2 Who Were the Cathars?

6. Dualism
7. Mazdaism
8. Manicheaism
9. The Bogomils
10. The Cathars

Part 3 The Cathar Enigma

11. The Cathars Among Us
12. Catharism and Druidism
13. A Solar Cult?
14. The Cathars and the Norse
15. Montségur and the Grail
16. The Royal Blood
17. The Cathars and Memory

Index

About the Author

Jean Markale (1928-2008), was a poet, philosopher, historian, and storyteller, who spent a lifetime researching pre-Christian and medieval culture and spirituality. He was a former specialist in Celtic studies at the Sorbonne and author of more than 40 books, including The Templar Treasure at Gisors, The Druids, The Celts, Merlin, and Women of the Celts.

Reviews

"Readers are certain to find Markale's answer revealing, if not altogether disturbing."
*Frank Joseph, Fate, March 2004, Vol 57 No 3 Issue 647,*

"Presents a very focused and fascinating treatise with enough detail to satisfy even the most knowledgeable Cathar scholar."
*Robert Buratti, New Dawn, July/August 2004, No.85*

"The amount of information in this book is astounding. . . and it is written in a highly intelligent manner."
*Kerri Connor, Circle of Stones, Fall 2004, Vol.1 Issue 6*

“Combining impeccable scholarship with an imaginative insight, Markale illumnates a critical nexus in the development of Western religious history--one that has long been shrouded in darkness. The relevance of the Cathar doctrine to modern spiritual development is also confirmed by his analysis.”
*James Wasserman, author of The Templars and the Assassins and Art and Symbols of the Occult*

“In this remarkable book, poet-historian Jean Markale evokes the spirit of the land where the Cathars walked in the light of their faith and were martyred by the Inquisition. Deftly navigating eddies of fact, fiction, and folklore concerning their treasure, he debunks frivolous speculation and rumor while allowing those theories supported by evidence to survive.”
*Margaret Starbird, author of The Woman with the Alabaster Jar*

"Markale's book strips away the mythology and nonsense of the Cathar legend to reveal their true courage and honor. . . "
*Mysteries Magazine, Vol. 2, #4, Issue #7*

"If you are looking for a scholarly read that explores the Cathars and untangles myth from fact with many Celtic and Druid references, [this book] is highly recommended."
*Tony Taylor, Henge Happenings, Issue 69, Feb 2006*

". . . enjoyable, filled with interesting information. . . . The final chapter in Montsegur and the Mystery of the Cathars will be particularly interesting to those awaiting the release of Otto Rahn's work on the Cathars later this year."
*Institute for Hermetic Studies, Aug 2006*

"Thankfully, [Markale's] Montsegur and the Mystery of the Cathars is a solidly and scholarly work which depels the most egregious of myths."
*Mysteries Magazine, Vol. 2, #4, Issue #7*

"[Markale's] descriptions of the wild Breton moors and the inaccessible peaks of the Pyrenees are described with a bardic grandeur that is befitting of his poetic roots."
*Mysteries Magazine, Vol. 2, #4, Issue #7*