The seneschal Hugues des Arcis in May…

The seneschal Hugues des Arcis in May 1243 leads the military command of about ten thousand royal troops against the castle of Montsegur, which is held by about one hundred fighters and is home to perfecti (who as pacifists do not participate in combat) and civilian refugees.

Many of these refugees are Cathar credentes who live in huts and caves outside the castle on the mountain.

The initial strategy is to besiege the castle in expectation that water and supplies would run out, a strategy that has worked well for the crusaders before.

However, the defenders are well supplied and able to keep their support lines open, being supported by many of the local population; some reinforcements even arrive.

Thus, eventually, it is decided to attack the place directly, a difficult task due to its well protected location high on a massive limestone rock.