Montsegur by Iron Maiden

Album: Dance Of Death (2003)

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Montsegur is a castle located in the Pyrenees mountains in the south west of France. It was considered the "capital" of a religious order, the Cathares. The Cathares religion has many similarities to Christianity, but with some strong differences like the belief in reincarnation. In the year 1178 the pope tried to convert the Cathares to Christianity without success. They were declared heretics. The pope and his army started fighting the Cathares, who mainly hid in strongholds, among them Montsegur. Following a very long siege, the Cathares surrendered: on the 16th of March 1244, 200 men and women who had decided to stay faithful to their belief entered a huge stake and were burned alive.
The line, "What secret that they took to their grave" probably relates to the night of the 15th to 16th (just before the surrender), when 4 Cathares escaped the castle (by climbing down the very steep rock face on one side of the castle, which was not guarded) to bring a treasure into a safe place. The nature of the treasure is still unknown - some believe that it might have been the Graal. >>
Suggestion credit:
Jan - Nice, France, for above 2

Comments: 9

Rex Mundi from Brownsville, TexasAmazing (very knowledgeable) comments here. I am a Catholic (no offense to me), climbed Montsegur in 2007 after reading about it in 1982, and a Maiden fan. Additional comments:
1. Rex Mundi "King of this World". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catharism.
2. The Perfect One (Parfait) - Cathars who have attained the highest spirituality (consulamentum)
3. Graal - San Graal (Holy Grail) vs. Sang Raal (Holy Blood)?
4. "To die and be free" is the Cathar belief that the flesh is the work of Rex Mundi. Die, and the spirit is free (considered martyrdom nowadays).
5. Et in Arcadia Ego
Nick from Philadelphia, PaThis song like many of Iron Maidens states the horrible past of Catholosism. You can conclude that Bruce or someone else in the band has strong feelings about this sect of Christianity. (my spelling may be off)
D. from Columbus, Oh"As we kill them all so God will know his own" refers to the quote of the papal legate before the massacre in Beziers in 1209, when asked how to tell the Catholics from the Cathars. "Neca eos omnes, Deus suos agnoscet" - Kill them all, God will know his own OR "Caecite eos, Novit enim Dominus qui sunt eiud." Kill them all, the lord will recognize his own."
I'm not really sure if I have the grammer correct in those though.
"The Book of the Old Testament{...}satan{..}lust" - Quite possibly refers to the fact that Cathars believed that the 'God' of the Old testament was satan and therefore rejected the OT totally. Plus, the Cathars were against the Roman church's luxurious Church, seeing it as an embodiement of Rex Mundi, which, I believe, is the equivalent to Satan.
"To Stand with the Cathars, to die and be free" - possibly refers to the fact that Catholics in Bezier were given oppurtunity to leave but refused and fought with the Cathars.
The reference to the Templar Knights refers to the popular modern belief that there is a link between the Knights Templar, Cathars, and Montsequr.

The Albigensian crusade was authorised by Pope Innocent III. Later on, The Inqusition in 1229 hung and burned Cathars. Heretic sympthisers and those who recanted were required to sew a yellow cross to their dress.
In 1243-44 the Cathars were besieged at Montsegur by French Troops. The Cathars surrended and 200+ were burned en masse in a bonfire when they refused to renounce their faith.

I couldnt figure out the possible meaning of the secret they took to the grave until I read this page. Thanks!
Bradley from San Luis Obispo, CaI like the Song, but i can't sing along to the negative catholic comments. Even still, Iron Maiden isn't Against any religion, the song is about an event in history not about bashing a religion.
Alberto from Carpi, ItalyAwesome powerful song, like most of Iron Maiden's. Moreover it's against Catholic Church, which is always a good thing.
Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScWhen they talk about the Graaal in the songfacts, is is the same thing as the Holy Graal? That seems to be what it is, but I'm not certain.
Simon from Adelaide, AustraliaI absolutly love this song but I would like to see some other Dance of Death songs, including the title song and new frontier!!!
Devon from Westerville, Ohthe album dance of death is awesome. this song's intro is pretty sweet. Maiden is the ultimate metal band.
Dave from London, EnglandThis is a fantastic song, from a fantastic album. Maiden back at their best:o)

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