Villerouge-Termenès - Château

The château towers over the small village Villerouge-Termenès since the early 12th century. The Lords of the castle were the archbishops of Narbonne. In 1107 Pope Pascal II had to confirm the archbishop as rightful owner of Villerouge, as Pierre de Peyrepertuse had occupied the village and given the castle as dowry to his daughter when she married Olivier de Termes.

In 1227 Pope Honorius III had to step in, when Simon de Montfort´s vasall Alain de Roucy, whom Simon had given the Château de Termes (previous uploads) during the Albingensian Crusade, threatened to take over Villerouge also.

In 1321, after an "inquisition" led by Jacques Fournier (future Pope Benedict XII), Guilhem Bélibaste (aka "Guilielmus Belibasta"), the last known Occitan Cathar perfectus, was burnt alive here.

Guilhem Bélibaste became a perfectus while in hiding in Catalonia. As only perfectii could transmit the religion, by a ceremony of laying on of hands, his death was the end of the Cathar religion.

chateauvillerouge.wix.com/termenes!