1. Beziers---- Narbonne High summer 1209 Julian Calendar

Please to read the introduction titled "The Albigensian Chronicles" before begining the story Thanks "Patches"

 

Lurid flames flicker fitfully

in the night, like sconce torches

through rodent chewed curtains.

 

Simon IV De Mountfort* and his crusaders

 besiege the city of Beziers. Demand the surrender

of heretics. It is here that Simon will earn the sobriquet

 "Le Boucher."

 

The city fathers refuse,

knowing full well

the fate of those

named "heretic."

 

In the early evening of 22, July

a military sortie by citizens soldiers

attempts to break the crusade ranks.

 

Only to be pushed back through the gates

followed enmasse by the French army

of De Mountfort.

 

Swords, curses clash,

citizens are driven like cattle

from one slaughter pen

to another.

 

The fighting is desperate---

building to building,

street to street

in hand to hand combat.

 

Most of the surviving population

of the city, women, children, the old,

the sick, the cripples are herded

together into church of Ste. Mary Magdelaine.

 

The Papal legate is asked;

"How do we tell the faithful

from the heretics?" His answer---

"Kill them all, God will recognize His own!"

Status, age, sex, there is no distinction.

Death has come to Beziers transforming the city

into a huge charnel house.

 

On the walls of Narbonne

a city five kilometers to the south

a priest cries out in an attempt to be heard

above the din and chaos in the streets.

 

"The blood of brothers forms a pudding

through the streets of Beziers to be baked

by the burning of their corpses!

 

"Who are the barbarians there, that

murder with the blessings

of Mother church?

They are the French! The French

have profained the soil of Languedoc**

 

"They come with the name of Christ

on their lips to kill, to burn,

rape and pillage."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

I stop my ears.

The streets of Narbonne

are filled with citizens, with soldiers,

refugees, all rushing about like ants

in a disturbed hill.

 

Women wail, children cry

people with wagons, carts,

on horseback, on foot

race toward the gates of the city;

soldiers try and force them back,

to maintain control--- get men and arms

to the walls in case of attack.

 

I race toward the Bourg***

a frightened thirteen year old

seeking safety and the comfort

of familer surroundings.

 

Gradually the panic subsides

The French are not

going to attack Narbonne.

 

The army of Christ is disbanding,

turning north, harvest time is coming

enlistments have expired. The crusaders

are leaving Languedoc,

 

in spite of the promises and threats of their captains.

 they are turning toward home and harvest.

Their lust for booty sated in the sack of Beziers.

 

It has become strangely peaceful,

the din in the streets has quieted.

Rue Fleurs de Cerisier is empty, save for

the silent shadows of cheery laden trees.

 

Beneath the myraid stars

insects drone and chirp;

light streams from

a neighboring chateau.

 

Wagons are being loaded

with household goods and furniture.

A young girl stands

framed in an open window.

 

Her hair black

as a moon shy night

shines in candlelight.

She glances over the hedgerow,

our eyes lock for a moment----

"Come Madeleine," a voice calls,

 "the coach is ready."

 

*Simon de Mountfort--- an historical personage

** Languedoc--- another name for Occitania

*** Bourg--- the upper region of the city where the rich or nobles have homes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reviews

[quinfinn]

compelling and forceful. graphic and brutal. spellbinding. i was playing it as a movie in my mind while reading, that's how well you captured the scenes. great job!

[anne p. murray- LadeeAn..]

Robert, what a riviting historical write. You captured my attention and I like the ending.
Anne

[Angela]

Wonderful historical tale, Robert. You have captured the time perfectly. I could feel my heart start to beat faster and faster, thankfully you were gracious enough to allow peace in at the end. Incredible.

[Robin]

ah the 'butcher' , what an intense period of history , the echoes still heard this day . excellent writing .

[NoneOfYourBusiness akaK..]

resounding echoes grip like tightening tendrils~

this line

"Kill them all, God will recognize His own!"

the devastation of humanity by the hands of humanity~
a riveting epic write!~