Battle of Muret
Muret, France
What happened
Simon de Montfort the Elder led the French crusader army against King Peter II of Aragon and Count Raymond VI of Toulouse, Peter's brother-in-law. During the Albigensian Crusade, northern French crusaders led by Simon de Montfort were fighting to put down the Cathar faith and take control of southern France. Montfort drove Count Raymond VI out of Toulouse, so Raymond asked King Peter of Aragon for help. At Muret, about 25 km south of Toulouse, Montfort divided his horsemen into three lines, broke the much larger allied army, and King Peter was lost in the battle.
Why it matters
Result: French Crusader victory. Leaders: Bouchard de Marly against Peter II of Aragon / Raymond VI, Count of Toulouse. Why it matters: It was the last major battle of the Albigensian Crusade, and it ended Aragon's ambitions in Languedoc. By 1229 the French crown had firm control of southern France.
What came next
Peter's only son by Marie of Montpellier, the future James the Conqueror, became king of Aragon. The Albigensian Crusade did not officially end until the Treaty of Paris in 1229.
Did you know?
King Peter reportedly wore borrowed armour at Muret to disguise himself.
Timeline
- 1205 CEPope Innocent III crowns Peter II in Rome.
- 1212 CEPeter takes part in the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa.
- 12 September 1213 CEMontfort's crusaders defeat Peter and Raymond at Muret.
- 1229 CEThe Treaty of Paris ends the Albigensian Crusade.