My research centres upon the Historia Albigensis (1213-c.1220) of Peter of les Vaux-de-Cernay. The Historia offers the most detailed narrative of the Albigensian Crusade, one of the most influential and resonant conflicts in the history of France. The thesis focuses upon how acts of ritual are depicted and used within the text in order to emphasise the worthiness of the crusade and the depravity of its enemies, the Cathar heretics of the Midi. It also constitutes an essential reconsideration of the Historia, redating the work and suggesting that the text originated as an official history of the Crusade that was endorsed and shaped by its leadership. My other areas of interest include thirteenth-century papal policy, the University of Paris, heresy, and the social history of the south of France.

Writing Rituals in French Crusade Narrative: The Historia Albigensis of Peter of les Vaux-de-Cernay

Dr Sophie Ambler

AHRC North West Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership Award (October 2018-March 2022).

The Ralph Gibson Bursary an award of £3000 given by the Society for the Study of French History (September 2021).

Research Travel Grant awarded by the Society for the Study of French History to conduct research in the Vatican Library (May 2020).

The Dominic Christian Scholarship (2017-2018).

Medieval History MA - University of East Anglia (2017-2018)

History BA (Hons) - University of East Anglia (2014-2017)

l.pulford@lancaster.ac.uk