The Virgin of Le Puy: Borders, peace-making, and authority in medieval Languedoc (975-1229)

This thesis examines the role of the Virgin’s cult at Le Puy amongst the major power struggles and quests for authority from 975 – 1229: through its role in the early Peace of God movement (975-1052), the Investiture Controversy (1056-1080), the First Crusade (1095-1100), the eleventh century Capetian expansion (1130-1182), the Capuchon movement (1182-1185), and the Albigensian Crusade (1209-1229). I draw on the field of border studies to illustrate how Le Puy’s location as a border territory amongst warring kingdoms resulted not only increased tumult but made it an attractive prize for the competing figures of authority in the period.