A Clash of Cultures The Impact of Disinheritance in the Early Years of the Albigensian Crusade

Abstract

In 1208 a crusade was proclaimed by Innocent III, against the heretics of the Albigensian Region. Commonly known as the Albigensian Crusade (1209 - 29). The first victim of the Albigensian Crusade was the Viscount of Béziers, Raimond Roger Trencavel. After the fall of his two strongholds; Béziers and Carcassonne in the summer of 1209, and his death during captivity two months later, Simon V of Montfort was chosen as the new Viscount. Between 1209 to 1211 he conquered the rest of Raimond Roger's lands and this first phase of the crusade is generally seen as a success. This paper aims to examine whether or whether not this is the case, by looking at the disinheritance of the local nobility starting with the Raimond Roger.