The Albigensian Crusade
Phase Five: Raymond Resurgent
At Beaucaire in 1216, near Avignon, Raymond VI triumphs, holding off Simon. Town after town now goes over the Raymond.
Siege of Toulouse. Simon re-takes the city, imposing harsh conditions, but Toulouse goes over to Raymond again in 1217. Simon lays siege to the city again. Exceptionally brutal, with few prisoners taken.
25 June 1218, in a sharp battle, Simon is killed. Amalric, his 26 year old son, succeeded, but he lacked his father's abilities and charisma. Amalric lifts the siege and retires to Carcassonne. Much of the Midi now falls to the southerners, especially to Raymond VII.
Raymond VI died in 1222, but the resistance does not falter. Amalric, desperate and uncertain, tries to turn his lands over to Philip, but the king refuses. Raymond VII, too, tries to be reconciled, but the legates and new bishops maneuvered against him.
Late in 1225, Raymond VII was deprived of his lands and excommunicated as a heretic. Pope Honorius III calls a new crusade.