French Crusaders led by Simon de Montfort, seeking to destroy the Cathar religious sect based in southern France, were opposed by Count Raymond VI of Toulouse. His army was disorderly and confused. The Battle of Muret, 1213 The Cathars originated from an anti-materialist reform movement within the Bogomil churches of Dalmatia and Bulgaria calling for a return to the Christian message of perfection, poverty and preaching, combined with a … The Battle of Muret, fought on 12 September 1213 near Muret, 25 km south of Toulouse, was the last major battle of the Albigensian Crusade and one of the most notable pitched battles of the Middle Ages. Coming westward out of Muret, Simon attacked Peter’s camp, and Peter’s death in that engagement gave the signal for a general flight. At the Battle of Muret on 12 September 1213 the Crusader army of Simon IV de Montfort defeated the Catharist, Aragonese and Catalan forces of Peter II of Aragon, at Muret near Toulouse. Background Simon IV de Montfort was the leader of the Albigensian Crusade to destroy the Cathar heresy and incidentally to join the Languedoc to the crown of France. On 10 September, Peter's army arrived at Muret, and was joined by a Toulousain milit… Once deployed, Peter's army remained stationary and waited … The militia of Toulouse, assailed unexpectedly in the camp, suffered heavy losses. Peter, who had not given up his predecessors’ design of increasing Aragon’s feudal power by acquiring vassals north of the Pyrenees, finally responded to the appeal. It played a significant role in ending Aragonese interests in territories north of the Pyrenees and in bringing the province of Languedoc under the influence of the French crown. He decided to cross the Pyrenees and deal with Montfort at Muret. but was killed regardless. Black Friday Sale! The battle began as siege of the Castle of Muret, but ended as an open battle. Articles with Spanish-language external links, Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, https://military.wikia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Muret?oldid=3979343. King Peter rode to the front line, forsaking his royal armour for the plain armour of a common soldier. Simon IV de Montfort was the leader of the Albigensian Crusade to destroy the Cathar heresy and incidentally to join the Languedoc to the crown of France. On 10 September, Peter's army arrived at Muret, and was joined by a Toulousain militia. The Battle of Muret, 1213 The Cathars originated from an anti-materialist reform movement within the Bogomil churches of Dalmatia and Bulgaria calling for a return to the Christian message of perfection, poverty and preaching, combined with a … He chose to position his army so their right flank was protected by the Saudrune River, and the left protected by a marsh. Though their combined forces were considerably superior to Simon’s, misunderstanding between Peter and Raymond led to their defeat. It played a significant role in ending Aragonese interests in territories north of the Pyrenees and in bringing the province of Languedoc under the influence of the French crown. He decided to cross the Pyrenees and deal with Montfort at Muret. Battle of Muret Today is the 800th anniversaryof the battle of Muret when the army commanded by Simon de Montfort the elder (the father of King Henry III's brother-in-law from Hell) defeated the army of King Peter II of Aragon, who was killed in the battle, and Count Raymond VI … Omissions? Battle of Muret, military engagement of the Albigensian Crusade, which occurred on September 12, 1213. He left the Toulousain militia to assault the walls of the city. Subsequent negotiations resulted in the submission of Toulouse (1214–15), but Raymond was able to reclaim the town in 1217. Corrections? King Peter of Aragon's combined forces possibly numbered 4000 cavalry, with thirty to forty thousand infantry. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Montfort divided his army into three squadrons, and then led them across the Garonne to meet the Aragonese forces. He cried out, "I am the king!" Simon IV de Montfort was the leader of the Albigensian Crusade to destroy the Cathar heresy and incidentally to join the Languedoc to the crown of France. At the Battle of Muret[3] on 12 September 1213 the Crusading army of Simon IV de Montfort defeated the Catharist, Aragonese and Catalan forces of Peter II of Aragon, at Muret near Toulouse. The Battle of Muret was fought on 12 September 1213. Montfort led his knights and horse sergeants out of the walled town and divided his cavalry army into three lines, with his half-brother William of Barres commanding the first line and Montfort himself commanding the third for purposes of tactical command and control. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Count Raymond sought assistance from his brother-in-law, King Peter II of Aragon, who felt threatened by Montfort's conquests in Languedoc. Peter rejected this suggestion as unknightly and dishonorable. Muret is located near to the City of Toulouse. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Muret, Medieval Histories - Battle of Muret 1213. One of the best examples of a vastly outnumbered David defeating a Goliath took place on 12 September 1213, at the Battle of Muret in France. When Montfort's first squadron charged the field, the Aragonese cavalry was crushed and Peter himself was unhorsed. With the realization that their king had been killed, the Aragonese forces broke in panic and fled, pursued by Montfort's Crusaders. Battle of Muret, (September 12, 1213), military engagement of the Albigensian Crusade. Simon’s forces had already conquered the viscounty of Béziers-Carcassonne in 1209 but had been repelled in an assault on Toulouse, which remained loyal to Raymond VI. The Crusader army of Simon IV de Montfort defeated the Aragonese and Catalan forces of King Peter II of Aragon, who had come to the aid of the Occitan forces of his vassal Raymond VI, Count … At the Battle of Muret on 12 September 1213 the Crusading army of Simon IV de Montfort defeated the Catharist, Aragonese and Catalan forces of Peter II of Aragon, at Muret near Toulouse. He invaded Toulouse and exiled its count, Raymond VI. Simon de Montfort's 870 mailed cavalry included 270 knights, making the small force of exceptional quality. The battle began as siege of the Castle of Muret, but ended as an open battle. It started as a siege of the castle castle there, but ended as an open battle - one of the very few of the Cathar Crusades. King Peter had arranged his men in the same formation, with the Count of Foix commanding the first line and the King disguising himself in a borrowed suit of armor in the second line. Simon de Montfort led an army of 870 French Crusaders, along with a small contingent of knights brought by his ally, the viscount of Corbeil. Premium Membership is now 50% off! Count Raymond sought assistance from his brother-in-law, King Peter II of Aragon, who felt threatened by Montfort's conquests in Languedoc. Peter's ally and brother-in-law, Count Raymond, advised a defensive posture in order to weaken the advancing enemy with bowshot and javelins. Updates? Raymond and the bourgeois of Toulouse invoked the aid of King Peter II of Aragon. The Battle of Muret took place in September 1213 when the crusading army of Simon IV de Montfort defeated the Catharist and Catalan Forces of Peter II of Aragon and those of his brother-in-law, Count Raymond. He invaded Toulouse and exiled its count, Raymond VI. Although estimates vary considerably, even among distinguished modern historians, it is famed for having pitted a measly force of French knights and crusaders commanded by Simon de Montfort the … It played a significant role in ending Aragonese interests in territories north of the Pyrenees and in bringing the province of Languedoc under the influence of the French crown. Battle of Muret, military engagement of the Albigensian Crusade, which occurred on September 12, 1213. The Battle of Muret took place in September 1213 when the crusading army of Simon IV de Montfort defeated the Catharist and Catalan Forces of Peter II of Aragon and those of his brother-in-law, Count Raymond. King Peter of Aragon had brought 800 to 1,000 Aragonese cavalry, joined by a militia from Toulouse and armies brought by the counts of Comminges and Foix.