With the realization that their king had been killed, the Aragonese forces broke in panic and fled, pursued by Montfort's Crusaders. 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 … Battle of Muret, military engagement of the Albigensian Crusade, which occurred on September 12, 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. Black Friday Sale! but was killed regardless. He chose to position his army so their right flank was protected by the Saudrune River, and the left protected by a marsh. His army was disorderly and confused. Articles with Spanish-language external links, Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, https://military.wikia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Muret?oldid=3979343. Peter rejected this suggestion as unknightly and dishonorable. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. 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. 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. 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. The militia of Toulouse, assailed unexpectedly in the camp, suffered heavy losses. He cried out, "I am the king!" 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. Though their combined forces were considerably superior to Simon’s, misunderstanding between Peter and Raymond led to their defeat. 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 … Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. 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 … He left the Toulousain militia to assault the walls of the city. 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. He invaded Toulouse and exiled its count, Raymond VI. The battle began as siege of the Castle of Muret, but ended as an open battle. 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. 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 … By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. 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. Count Raymond sought assistance from his brother-in-law, King Peter II of Aragon, who felt threatened by Montfort's conquests in Languedoc. King Peter rode to the front line, forsaking his royal armour for the plain armour of a common soldier. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Muret, Medieval Histories - Battle of Muret 1213. Peter's ally and brother-in-law, Count Raymond, advised a defensive posture in order to weaken the advancing enemy with bowshot and javelins. 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. Coming westward out of Muret, Simon attacked Peter’s camp, and Peter’s death in that engagement gave the signal for a general flight. The Battle of Muret was fought on 12 September 1213. Updates? He decided to cross the Pyrenees and deal with Montfort at Muret. 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 had brought 800 to 1,000 Aragonese cavalry, joined by a militia from Toulouse and armies brought by the counts of Comminges and Foix. He decided to cross the Pyrenees and deal with Montfort at Muret. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Premium Membership is now 50% off! Once deployed, Peter's army remained stationary and waited … When Montfort's first squadron charged the field, the Aragonese cavalry was crushed and Peter himself was unhorsed. 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. 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. Raymond and the bourgeois of Toulouse invoked the aid of King Peter II of Aragon. Omissions? 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. The battle began as siege of the Castle of Muret, but ended as an open battle. Muret is located near to the City of Toulouse. 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. 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 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. Battle of Muret, military engagement of the Albigensian Crusade, which occurred on September 12, 1213. Simon de Montfort's 870 mailed cavalry included 270 knights, making the small force of exceptional quality. Count Raymond sought assistance from his brother-in-law, King Peter II of Aragon, who felt threatened by Montfort's conquests in Languedoc. King Peter of Aragon's combined forces possibly numbered 4000 cavalry, with thirty to forty thousand infantry. 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. 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. Montfort divided his army into three squadrons, and then led them across the Garonne to meet the Aragonese forces. He invaded Toulouse and exiled its count, Raymond VI. Battle of Muret, (September 12, 1213), military engagement of the Albigensian Crusade. On 10 September, Peter's army arrived at Muret, and was joined by a Toulousain milit… 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 … On 10 September, Peter's army arrived at Muret, and was joined by a Toulousain militia. 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. 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. 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.