The year 1209 is notable for several historical events, particularly in Europe. One significant occurrence was the beginning of the Albigensian Crusade, a military campaign initiated by the Catholic Church to eliminate the Cathar heresy in southern France. This crusade marked a pivotal moment in the struggle between different religious beliefs during the Middle Ages. In England, 1209 saw the establishment of the University of Oxford as a center of learning. Although the exact date of its founding is debated, this period is recognized as a time when scholars began to gather in the city, laying the groundwork for one of the world's oldest universities.