Albi, Council of

Albi, Council Of

(Concilium A lbiense). Albi, or Alby, is a town of France, capital of the department of Tarn, situated on the river Tarn; and' was the place whence the Albigenses derived their name.

A council was held there in 1254 by order of St. Louis, who had lately returned from the Holy Land. Bishops from the provinces of Narbonne, Bourges, and Bordeaux attended; Zoen, bishop of Avignon, presiding. Seventy-one canons were published; part of them relate to the extirpation of heresy, and part to the reformation of the clergy, etc. The first twenty- eight 'are taken from the canons of Toulouse in 1229.

1. Orders that persons be duly appointed to search after heretics.

2. Grants a silver mark to every one taking a heretic.

5. Deprives of their land persons who allow heretics to harbor there.

6. Orders the destruction of the houses of heretics.

11, 12. Enact that all persons arrived at the age of puberty shall abjure heresy, and take an oath of fidelity to the Roman Church.

15. Orders that all boys above seven years of age shall be brought to Church by their parents, to be instructed by the curate in the Catholic faith, and to be taught the Credo, Pater Noster, and Salutation of the Blessed Virgin.

21-23. Relate to the papers, etc., of the Inquisition.

24. Orders the constriction of prisons for the condemned heretics, where they shall be detained and supported (as the bishop shall direct) out of their confiscated property.

25. Orders that the bones of those who have died in heresy, and have been buried, shall be taken up and publicly burned.

29. Renews the canon "Omnes utriusqne sexus."

31-36. Relate to excommunication.

37. Orders that every will shall be made in the presence of a priest.

41. Forbids to harbor any suspicious woman within the precincts of the Church.

42. Orders silver chalices to be used in all churches of which the revenues amount to fifteen livres tournois.

48. Forbids clerks to gamble; orders them to have their hair so cut all around as to leave the ears altogether uncovered.

50, 51. Forbid them to hunt, hawk, and tilt, in game, with shield and lance.

55. Orders two regular canons, at least, in every prison.

64, 65. Provide that all Jews shall have a distinctive dress, and shall constantly wear a large wheel figured on their breast.

66-70. Of Jews. See Labbe, Concil. xi, 720.