Matchlesse crueltie declared at large in the ensuing history of the Waldenses apparently manifesting unto the world the horrible persecutions which they have suffered by the papists, for the space of four hundred and fifty years : wherein is related their original and beginning, their piety and purity in religion, both for doctrine and discipline : likewise hereunto is added an exact narrative of the late bloody and barbarous massacres, murders and other unheard of cruelties committed on many thousands of the Protestants dwelling in the valleys of Piedmont, &c. by the Duke of Savoy's forces, joyned with the French army and several bloody Irish regiments / published by command of His Highness the Lord Protector.

CHAP. IX.

The last warre of the Albingenses by Trancauel, Bastard of the Earle of Beziers: The progression thereof: The last expedition, leuied against the Albingenses: A trea∣tie betweene the Legat Amelin, and the said Tran∣cauel: The end of the warre.

MAtthew Paris an English Writer saith, * 1.1 That in the yeare 1234 the warres began againe against the Albingenses, and that there came a great Army of the Crosse against them, yea, that they lost aboue a hundred thousand men all at once, with all their Bishops that were in that battell, and that none escaped.

He was no doubt mis-informed; For the Historio∣grapher of Languedoc, who relateth all that passed in those times, hath made no mention thereof, neither is it likely that he would haue forgotten so famous a vi∣ctorie ouer the Albingenses, whom hee hated to the death. True it is, that at what time the Earle of Tou∣louze, of Foix, Comminge, and the Prince of Bearne tooke part with them, and were their Leaders; Tran∣cauel the Bastard of the Earle of Beziers deceased, did not appeare, but as a priuat man of small importance, but when the Albingenses were destitute of all support, there were that awakned this Souldier, and made him to know, that if he would haue any feeling of the out∣rages done vnto his Father, depriued of his lands vn∣iustly, betraied, imprisoned, and poysoned, that they would giue him the best assistance they could. Where∣vpon he tooke the field, said, That he would reuenge

the death of his Father, and win that by the sword that had beene taken from him by in-iustice. Hee was assisted by a number of valiant Captaines; that is to say, Sieur Oliuier de Fumes, Bertrand Hugon de Serre∣longue, Bernard de Villeneufue, Iordain de Satiat, all braue Leaders, who had a number of men at their command; and before the enemy tooke any notice of his designe, he seased vpon the Castles of Montreall, Saixac, Montolieu, Limous, and others.

Peter Melin the Popes Legat, and Bishop of Tou∣louze, being much astonished to see those that tooke part with the Albingenses, whom he thought to bee vtterly buried, to spring vp againe, hee had presently recourse to the ordinary meanes of the Pope and his Agents, that is, presently to cause the pardon of sins to be preached, to whomsoeuer would fight vnder the banner of the Crosse, a kinde of pay of lesse value, but more common in those times. The Archbishop of Narbonnes animated also the people of his Diocesse to goe to make an end of that poore remainder of the Albingenses that were left.

These Priests with their troopes, presented them∣selues before the gates of Carcassonne. The Citie re∣ceiued them, but when they came to the Towne the gates were shut against them. Amelin made a speech vnto those that shewed themselues vpon the rampiers, telling them that he was come thither for their preser∣uation. They thanked him, but they told him withall, that if he did not instantly retire himselfe, they would giue him the chase. Vpon this conference came Tran∣cauel, who set so hotly and valiantly vpon the troope of Pilgrims that accompanied the Legat, that he cha∣sed them, beating and killing them, till he came to the

gates of the Citie of Carcassonne, and the Legat had enough to doe to saue himselfe: but that which offen∣ded him most, was, that the gates of the Towne were opened to Trancauel, who lodged therein, and made it his principall retrait, from whence he euery day hurt and hindred the Pilgrims of the Citie, in such sort, that they hardly durst come forth of the gates. And when∣soeuer he heard of any troopes of Pilgrims to come, he went to meet them, laying ambushes for them, and many times ouerthrew them before they could ioyne themselues to the Legat.

This man kept the field, vntill the yeare 1242. [ 1242] be∣cause when any Pilgrims were required to goe against a Bastard of the diseased Earle of Beziers, euery one did beleeue the forces that were leuied within the Principalitie, might suffice for the destruction of so weake an enemie: but Amelin writ to the Pope, that if in good earnest he caused not the expedition of the Crosse to be preached in many places of Europe, that the Church was like to receiue a great losse by this last enemy, who had reuiued the part of the Albingenses, and was more cruell, and more subtill, than any other that had maintained them vnto this time.

Innocent the fourth caused the expedition of the Crosse to be published in diuers parts of Europe. Tran∣cauel being aduertised, that a very great Army of Pilgrims was prepared to come against him, sinding himselfe not strong enough in the Towne of Carcas∣sonne, retired himselfe to Realmont, whither the Pil∣grims followed him and besieged him. He couragi∣ously resisted them, and hauing many times discomfi∣ted the Pilgrims, in the end Amelin seeing there was nothing to bee gotten of a man, whom when they

thought him fast shut vp, would be many daies iour∣ney from them, gathering new forces, he entreated the Earle of Foix to vse his best endeuours, to bring him to some peaceable designe, and to treatie with him; which he performed with such successe, that he promi∣sed neuer to beare Armes, either against the Legat or the Church of Rome. Here you see the last attempt which wee finde the Albingenses haue made, and the last expedition of Pilgrims leuied against them. All the pursuit against them afterward, was made by the Monkes the Inquisitors, who kindled their fires more than euer; And so taking this poore people dis∣armed, and singling them out by retaile, it was impos∣sible for them any longer to subsist. And if at any time they hapned to set vpon the Inquisitors, it was but to giue them a more sensible apprehension of their ex∣treme violencies, whereof we haue a notable example in the Chapter following.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Matthew Paris history of England, in the yere 1234.