Son et Lumière - Béziers
1 - 1209 Massacre at Béziers The Crusaders arrived in Béziers on 21st of July 1209. Under the command of the papal legate, Arnaud-Amaury, they started to besiege the city, calling on the Catholics within to come out, and demanding that the Cathars surrender. Both groups refused. The city fell the following day when an abortive sortie was pursued back through the open gates. The entire population was slaughtered and the city burned to the ground. Contemporary sources give estimates of the number of dead ranging between 15,000 and 20,000. The latter figure appears in Arnaud-Amaury's report to the pope. The news of the disaster quickly spread and afterwards many settlements surrendered without a fight.
| Région: | Languedoc-Roussillon |
| Département: | Hérault |
| Commune: | Béziers |
| Photographer: | Malcolm Reynard - personal website |
The Film of the Spirit of Resistance
