History of the Crusades

the Crusades Episode 131, the crusade against the Cathars, the Siege of Toulouse.

Hello again.

Last week we saw Simon de Monfort and his army strike deep into the county of Toulouse.

With the crusading force bolstered by the recently arrived forces of Theobold, the

preceding force bolstered by the recently arrived forces of Theobald, the Count of Bar and a Luxembourg.

Simon de Monfort then headed down the road towards the jewel in the Toulousen Crown, the city of Toulouse itself.

Now, of course, this isn't good news as far as Count Raymond is concerned.

As we've seen before, Count Raymond the 6th of Toulouse is not much of a fighter.

In a time where members of the nobility were expected to lead their men personally into battle,

Count Riemond would really much rather sit back and watch others do the fighting. He managed to stay out of the action when he was part

of the crusade, and he'd really rather stay out of the action now as well. He's not a particularly talented fighter and he's not a

particularly talented leader of men. In fact in his book the perfect Heresy Stephen O'Shea describes Count Raymond as and I quote

as wretched a general as can be imagined end quote

So really count re monde would rather find a diplomatic solution to any crisis

Trouble is diplomacy isn't exactly one of his strong points either. Anyway, as Simon de Monfort and the Count of Barr are heading down the road towards the city of Toulouse, Count Raymond decides

to intercept them and try and talk them out of the attack.

He'd tried this tactic around a month ago. Just prior to the siege of Lecassus, he had sent

word to Simon that he would be willing to place himself and all his territory except the city of Toulouse in the hands of the Crusaders and await their judgment.

This offer had been rejected.

As Simon and his army are marching down the Roman road towards the city of Toulouse,

Count Raymond decides to try and negotiate once more.

...