The Albigensian Crusade was a military campaign launched by the Catholic Church and the French crown against the Cathars, a dualist Christian movement that was strong in Languedoc in southern France. It was proclaimed by Pope Innocent III in 1208 after his legate, Pierre de Castelnau, was murdered, and its early phase included the massacre at Béziers in 1209. Simon de Montfort led the crusaders and took lands from the local nobility. Over the following years the war became a struggle between northern French and southern lords, ending with a treaty in 1229. The south came under the control of the French crown, and the Inquisition was set up to hunt out the remaining Cathars.
Before and after
- 30 September 1207Birth of Rumi
- 1 October 1207Birth of Henry III of England
- 1209Irghiz River skirmish
- 1209Founding of University of Cambridge
- from 1209 to 1229Albigensian Crusade
- 1212Children's Crusade
- from 1213 to 1221Fifth Crusade
- 27 July 1214Battle of Bouvines
- c. 1215Birth of Louis IX of France
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- from 1202 to 1204Fourth Crusade
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- from 22 May 1455 to 16 June 1487Wars of the Roses
The era
This moment belongs to the Medieval world (500 CE to 1500 CE), kingdoms, faiths and trade routes. You can also browse everything in the 13th century.