The Albigenses were a body of men living about Toulouse and Albigeois, in Languedoc, who distinguished themselves by their opposition to the doctrines and ceremonies of the Church of Rome. Their name appears to have been given them, either because a great number of them resided in the diocese of Albi, or because they were condemned as heretics by a council held in that town. The Albigenses became so powerful, that Pope Innocent the Third sent a legate into their country; but, as that step produced no good effect, he stirred up against them Philip the Second, King of France, who, being joined by other princes, carried on a regular crusade against these unfortunate people. They were at first supported by Raimond, Count of Toulouse; but when the King of France made war upon them, he deserted them, and made his submission to the Pope; but, soon afterwards, finding himself plundered by the Crusaders, he declared war against them. He was, however, defeated and slain at the siege of Toulouse; and the consequence was, that the city surrendered to the Crusaders, who also conquered the greater part of Languedoc and Provence.
His son, also called Raimond, who succeeded him, published a declaration against the Albigenses, a.d. 1253; and agreed with the Pope and the King of France, to set up the Inquisition in his territories. From this time the Albigenses gradually decreased in number, until, in the sixteenth century, the remnant had become so intermingled with the Vaudois, that all are known by the latter name.
The Waldenses took their name from Peter Waldo, who was a rich merchant of Lyons, in the latter part of the twelfth century. Waldo, being extremely anxious for the increase of Christian knowledge and piety, employed a priest, in the year 1160, to translate from the Latin into French, the four Gospels and some other parts of Scripture. When this was done, Waldo found that there was no authority in Scripture, for many of the doctrines and practices taught by the Church over which the Pope presided; in fact, that they were quite contrary to the Word of God. In consequence, he gave up his mercantile profession, distributed his riches among the poor, and devoted himself, as a public teacher, to spread a knowledge of Scriptural truth. His success was great. His followers took their name of Waldenses from him; and they were also called "The poor men of Lyons."
The Archbishop of Lyons, and other rulers of the Church in those parts, opposed Waldo vigorously, but with little effect; for the simplicity and beauty of his doctrines, and the pious and blameless lives led by him and his followers, caused a daily increase of their numbers. Being driven out of Lyons, they spread over Dauphiné, Provence, and the valleys of Piedmont.
The merciless persecution carried on against these innocent people, by Philip the Second and Innocent the Third, failed to destroy them utterly, although the king is said to have destroyed the country seats of 300 gentlemen in the attempt. Amongst those who distinguished themselves most in this barbarous persecution, was Simon de Montfort, whose son, bearing the same name, retired to England, and became a favourite of Henry the Third, who created him Earl of Leicester. After one quarrel and reconciliation with his sovereign, Leicester put himself at the head of the English barons who rebelled successfully against Henry the Third; but in the battle of Evesham, when the royal forces were led by Prince Edward, the Earl was defeated and slain.
In spite of the united efforts of the Pope, the King of France, and of the Count Simon de Montfort, the Waldenses continued to exist, and were in later times known as the Vaudois.