Editing 1244 (section)

==== Europe ====
* [[March 16]] &ndash; [[Siege of Montségur]]: French forces capture and destroy [[Château de Montségur]] in [[Languedoc]], after a 9-month siege. Some 200 'heretics' (''[[Cathar Perfect|perfecti]]'' and ''[[credentes]]'') are burnt in a [[bonfire]], near the foot of the castle. This marks the final defeat of the [[Catharism|Cathars]] (or Albigensians); the followers become scattered fugitives, meeting in forests and mountain wilds.<ref>Hywel Williams (2005). ''Cassell's Chronology of World History'', p. 140. {{ISBN|0-304-35730-8}}.</ref>
* [[March 26]] &ndash; [[Treaty of Almizra]]: King [[James I of Aragon|James I]] ('''the Conqueror''') and King [[Ferdinand III of Castile|Ferdinand III]] ('''the Saint''') agree on the distribution of Muslim lands yet to be [[Reconquista|conquered]]. All lands south of a line, from the cities of [[Biar]] to [[Villajoyosa]] through [[Busot]], are reserved for the [[Crown of Castile]]. This ends further Aragonese expansion on the [[Iberian Peninsula]].<ref name=negotiating96>{{cite book|last=de Epalza|first=Miguel|title=Negotiating cultures: bilingual surrender treaties in Muslim-Crusader Spain under James the Conqueror|year=1999|publisher=Brill|isbn=90-04-11244-8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IjFacnscoBIC&q=Treaty+of+Alcaraz+1243|page=96}}</ref>
* [[December]] &ndash; King [[Louis IX of France|Louis IX]] ('''the Saint''') falls desperately ill of a severe [[malaria]]n infection. Near-death, he vows that if he recovers he will set out for a crusade. Louis' life is spared and as soon as his health permits him, he takes the cross and immediately begins preparations for the [[Seventh Crusade]].<ref>[[Steven Runciman]] (1952). ''A History of The Crusades. Vol III: The Kingdom of Acre'', p. 214. {{ISBN|978-0-241-29877-0}}.</ref>