On Wed, 24 Jul 1996, T.A. RAYBORN wrote:
> Dear John (or anyone else),
>
> I should know more about this, given my interest in things Occitan,
> but what is the current state of knowledge about Catharism? I know
> that most of our info comes from Inquistition documents, and what
> the Cathars' opponents said about them. Is this all that is extant? I
> find it difficult to believe that all Cathar writings (if they
> existed) could have been destroyed, even by the persistance of the
> Inquisition. "Heretical" movements are not that easy to silence,
> especially one as widespread as Catharism.
Well there is the Cena Secreta (off the top of my head), a gnostic text
which was found in Carcasonne, but my impression is that there is very
very little aside from what you mention above.
I know that Peter Biller was the co-editor of a very good collection of
studies relating to heresy and literacy (I'm sorry I can't remember the
title, but it's something pretty strightforward like Heresy and
Literacy...). You might look to see what it offers.
Hope that's a help,
Cheers!
..............................................................................
Omittamus studia, dulce est desipere, : Nicole Morgan Schulman
et carpamus dulcia, iuventutis tenere! : [log in to unmask]
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