Simon de Montfort, Heretic-Hunter of Albigenses

In 1207, Pierre de Castlenau, the Chief Legate to Pope Innocent III, was murdered. The major suspect was Raymond, the Count of Toulouse. Since Albi was a very rich area, Catholic knights needed no further invitation to attack.

Simon de Montfort led the crusade against the Albigenses. He led an estimated 200,000 foot soldiers and 20,000 knights through the Albigenses. To spare his people, the falsely accused Raymond gave himself up. Without trial, he was tortured and executed.

Raymond's sacrifice was for naught. Under orders of the Pope, the knights began another crusade in 1214. "Women and children were once again stoned to death and cast down deep wells in the pitiless rampage" (Farrington 47).

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Simon de Montfort, Heretic-Hunter of Albigenses copyrighted 1996-1998 to Shantell Powell.