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St. Dominic
St. Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers, also known as the Dominican Order, was born in 1170 and died August 6, 1221. Dominic was active in Crusades preaching in Lombardy and especially during the Albigensian Crusade. It was reportedly after witnessing the effects of the Albigensian "heresy" while passing through Toulouse in 1203 that the saint was inspired to found a preaching order to combat heresy. Prior to Dominic's involvement in the crusades, he had reportedly twice tried to sell himself into slavery to raise money for the ransom of those held captive by the Moors. During the Albigensian Crusade the prayers of Dominic were considered by Simon de Montfort to have been the cause of victory on at least one occasion. Dominic is also sometimes given credit for the founding of the Inquisition in Languedoc during the Albigensian Crusade, but this is likely incorrect as the Inquisition seems to have been in effect for years before Dominic's involvement. According to Lacordaire, it was during Dominic's later preaching in Lombardy that he instituted the Militia of Jesus Christ.
Albigensian Crusade- Crusades-Encyclopedia
Primary Sources of the Albigensian Crusade- Crusades-Encyclopedia
Saints and the Crusades- Crusades-Encyclopedia
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Albignesians [Cathars]- Crusades-Encyclopedia
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St. Dominic- Catholic Encyclopedia
Saint Dominic- Columbia Encyclopedia
St. Dominic and His Life- American Central Province of Dominican Friars Home Page
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