Song of the Cathar Wars

Janet Shirley is a distinguished translator of works on the Crusades and the French Middle Ages. Her previous translations include the Song of Roland and The Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem by Professor Jean Richard.

• Contents: Maps; Introduction; The Song of the Cathar Wars by William of Tudela; The Song continued by the Anonymous; Chronology; Index.

'... this is quite simply one of the best sources of medieval warfare one could hope for ... the all-important fact that it is the first available [rendering] in English (and faithfully translated by Janet Shirley) will ensure its great utility ... It is highly recommended.’ The Catholic Historical Review 'Shirley’s translation is thoroughly clear... The book is beautifully presented too, with maps, an informative introduction, superbly researched footnotes, conveniently placed on the page of the text, and a very useful chronology which tells us what happens after the poem closes.' The Cantuarian 'The Song of the Cathar Wars is a crucial source for historians of the crusades, medieval heterodoxy and its suppression, the creation of modern France, medieval Occitan society, and its development of vernacular epic historiography in the Middle Ages. This accomplished, unfrilly, and readable translation opens it up for the first time to readers for whom the modern French versions of Martin-Chabot and Henri Gougaud represent an obstacle' Medium Ævum