The+Crusades+-+Albigensian+Crusade

The Albigensian Crusade was a French led crusade that lasted 20 years. It was divided into 6 phases and was led against the Albigensians. They were Cathars, but called themselves Heretics. This angered the Christian church, and that is why they crusaded them.
 * __The Albigensian Crusade__**
 * __[|Map Picture]__**
 * __Important People:__**
 * __(What is not talked about in the important events section)__**

He was born in France. He replaced his father as Baron de Montfort in 1181. He was a great warrior and a strategist. He led the army assembled under the Abbot of Citeauz to attack to attack the Cathars in Languedoc. He then became the leader of the Albigensian crusade. He gained the conquered territory. He died by having his head smashed by a stone from a mangonel operated by the women in Toulouse.
 * Simon IV De Montfort**

He was count of Toulouse from 1194-1222. He held a number of lands under the feudal system. He was a vassal of the King of Aragon. He wasn’t a good fighter. He tolerated the Cathars, so he was excommunicated. He was attacked by Simon De Montfort in 1211. His brother in law was Peter II of Aragon, who helped him during Simon’s attack. He was defeated and went into exile in England.
 * Raymond IV, count of Toulouse.**

He helped his brother in law, Raymond, when Simon De Monfort attacked him.
 * Peter II of Aragon**

He marched around Languedoc and tore down the walls of Narbonne and Toulouse and returned home.
 * Prince Louis VIII**

Raymond IV’s son. He got Provence when they conquered it. Philip Augustus confirmed his rights. Raymond VII was excommunicated as a heretic and his lands were taken away from him.
 * Raymond VII**

He was Simon IV’s son. He succeeded Simon. He lifted the Siege of Toulouse. When Raymond VI died, he tried to turn his lands over to Philip but the King doesn’t allow him to.
 * Arnold Amalric**

The Crusade was conducted by Humbert of Beaujeu after Phase 6, when Louis VIII made a new crusade.
 * Humbert of Beaujeu**

The Albigensian Crusade was directed at Heretics, or Cathars. Heretics called themselves Christians. To others, they were considered Cathars. Cathars were dualist and anti-clerical.
 * Heretics**


 * __Important events:

A large army was assembled in July of 1209 They targeted the Bèziers. After a mass slaughter at Trencavel finally ends once a fire breaks out. The city of Carrascone is taken after a short but brutal siege. The conquered lands were given to Simon of Montfort.the bulk of the army goes home after 40 days.
 * Phase 1: 1209-1211: the conquest of trencavel lands**

Raymond is constantly getting closed out by soldiers, all making insane demands. Raymond finally decides to fight. Many towns and castles who had submitted to Simon eventually had to go over to Raymond. Eventually Simon captures Toulousian and Raymond is left alientated in Toulouse
 * Phase 2: 1211-1213: conquest of the Toulousain**

Peter, King of Aragon was also the suzerain (definition) of some lands in France. He was trying to keep his land and possibly get more without looking like he was part of the Heretics. The conquests of Simon put this in jeopardy. Simon tried to reconcile with Peter, but Peter rejected this. This caused Simon and Raymond to form an alliance. The two settle in Muret. Simon want’s to attack Toulousian, Raymond advises him not to, but Simon proceeds anyways. The Battle of Muret happened on September 12th, 1213. Peter and his knights attack alone, leaving the Toulousian military assaulting the walls of the city. Simon catches the allies of the crusaders unprepared so he decides to attack them. Peter, dressed in ordinary armor, is killed because no one realized who he was. Because of this battle, Aragon was eliminated as the only factor that could oppose French crusaders.
 * Phase 3: 1213: Peter of Aragon and the Battle of Muret**

Simon now has destroyed all he can at his military post but he doesn’t have enough men to “hold down the fort” at the captured territories. Because of this, Simon keeps trying to get help from France. In 1215, Prince Louis VIII keeps his crusading vow and captures Languedoc, Narbonne, and Toulouse. In December of the same year, Raymond is stripped of his remaining land (most was given to Simon). Raymond’s son (Raymond VII) got the right to Provence. In 1216 these rights were affirmed by Phillip Augustus.
 * Phase 4: 1213-1215: Simon of Montfort. Resistance collapses**

In 1216, at Beaucaire, Raymond VI holds off Simon and captures the territory. Simon eventually re-takes the city of Toulouse. But in 1217, Raymond VI re-takes it again. Finally, in a brutal siege Simon takes the city. On June 25th, 1218, Simon is killed in battle. Simon’s son Amalric is his successor but he lacked some of his father’s essential qualities. Eventually Amalric retires to Carcassonne. Much of the land he inherited from Simon is given to southerners and a good portion is given to Raymond VII. Raymond VI died in 1222.Amalric tries to give his land to Phillip but he refuses. Raymond tries to do the same with his land but he too is ultimately denied. In 1225 Raymond VII is deemed a heretic and he is excommunicated. Pope Honorius leads a new crusade.
 * Phase 5: 1215-1225: the counter-attack of the southerners**

Louis VIII takes control of the new crusade (originally led by Honorius). Sfter three months, in September of 1226 Avignon fell to Louis. This led to Porvence doing the same. Eastern Languedoc and Quercy follow ; The only remaining city is Toulouse. Louis dies on November 8th, 1226. The crusade is now led by Humbert of Beaujeu. Raymond is re-instated and he swears loyalty to the king and he will obey the church. Peace was officially granted on April 12th, 1229
 * Phase 6: 1225-1229: conquest by Louis VIII**

The Albigensian Crusade didn’t relate to the other crusades, but it was still important to the theory of crusades and the role of the church in calling the crusades. It also played a large role in the political unification of France.
 * __ Impact on the Medieval Era. __**

**__ Vocabulary: __** **Legates**- a usually official emissary. **Levy**-the imposition or collection of an assessment. **Suzerian**-a superior feudal lord to whom fealty is due. **Conciliation**- the act of becoming compatible. **Rebuffed**- to get rejected.