1-156-484 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

'The Siege of Carcassonne', 1209 (c1858-1921). An episode in the Albigensian Crusade (1208-1213) led by Simon de Montfort and northern French barons against a heretical Christian sect, the Cathars, also known as the Albigensians, due to their concentration around the southern French town of Albi. Carcassonne fell to the besieging crusaders after the town's water supply was cut off. Although forced to leave, the inhabitants were spared the massacres which occurred when some of the other Cathar strongholds were taken.