Not technically a crusade because the “crusaders” in this case fought against people who called themselves Christians, the Cathars of the Languedoc in southern France. Cathar theology was extremely popular during the early Gothic period, and presented a threat to Catholic spiritual hegemony. The Roman Church therefore incited a crusade against the Cathars, thoroughly eradicating them. It is rumored that many Cathars found refuge in the ranks of the Templars, who were at this point powerful enough to stand up to the Pope.