Massacre at Béziers
43°20′51″N 3°13′08″E / 43.3476°N 3.2190°E
| Massacre at Béziers | |
|---|---|
| Part of the Albigensian Crusade | |
The church of Saint Mary Magdalene where 7,000 people were massacred according to Peter of Vaux-de-Cernay | |
| Location | Béziers, County of Toulouse (now in Hérault, Occitanie, France) |
| Date | 22 July 1209 |
| Target | People of Béziers, especially Cathars |
Attack type | Mass murder |
| Deaths | 20,000 |
| Perpetrators | Crusaders |
| Motive | Anti-Catharism |
The Massacre at Béziers occurred on 22 July 1209 during the sack of Béziers by crusaders. It was the outcome of the Siege of Béziers, which was the first major military action of the Albigensian Crusade.