Editing Albigensian Crusade (section)

====Assembling of the initial army====
By mid-1209, around 10,000 Crusaders had gathered in [[Lyon]] before marching south.{{sfn|Peter of les Vaux de Cernay|1998|p=84}} Many Crusaders stayed on for no more than 40 days before being replaced. A large number came from Northern France,{{sfn|Lock|2006|p=164}} while some had volunteered from England.{{sfn|Power|2009|pp=1047–1085}} There would also be volunteers from [[Austria]].{{sfn|Tyerman|2006|p=595}} The question of who would lead the crusade was unclear. In early 1209, Philip II had learned of an anti-French alliance between King John and [[Otto IV, Holy Roman Emperor|Holy Roman Emperor Otto IV]], both of whom were overlords of different parts of the Languedoc. This motivated him to stay out of the crusade. He refused to campaign in person but promised to send a contingent of troops, ensuring that he would have a say in any political settlements that would result from the conflict. Papal legate [[Arnaud Amalric]], Abbott of the Cistercian monastery [[Cîteaux Abbey]], assumed command of the enterprise.{{sfn|Tyerman|2006|p=584–589}}{{sfn|Guillaume de Puylaurens|2003|pp=27–29}}

As the Crusaders assembled, Raymond attempted to reach an agreement with his nephew and vassal, [[Raymond Roger Trencavel]], viscount of [[Béziers]] and [[Carcassonne]], for a united defense, but Raymond Roger refused him. Raymond decided to make an accommodation with the Crusaders. He was fiercely opposed by Amalric, but at Raymond's request, Innocent appointed a new legate, Milo, whom he secretly ordered to obey Amalric. On 18 June 1209, Raymond pronounced himself repentant. He was scourged by Milo and declared restored to full Communion with the Church. The following day, he took the Cross, affirming his loyalty to the crusade and promising to aid it. With Raymond restored to unity with the Church, his lands could not be attacked. The Crusaders therefore turned their attention to the lands of Raymond Roger, aiming for the Cathar communities around Albi and Carcassonne. They marched out of Lyon on 24 June and arrived at the Catholic town of [[Montpellier]] on 20 July.{{sfn|Strayer|1971|pp=56–60; 66}}{{sfn|Peter of les Vaux de Cernay|1998|p=88}}{{sfn|Oldenbourg|1961|pp=109–110}} Raymond Roger was not formally a Cathar but tolerated the sect's existence.{{sfn|Strayer|1971|p=66}} There were many Cathars in his domain, and his own sister had become one of the perfect.{{sfn|Strayer|1971|p=47}} Nevertheless, Raymond Roger attempted to negotiate with the Crusaders. He declared himself a loyal member of the Church, and disclaimed responsibility for the spread of heresy in his land on account of his youth. He was 24 at that time. The Crusaders rejected his request for peace.{{sfn|Oldenbourg|1961|p=110}}{{sfn|Marvin|2008|p=39}} They marched first for Béziers, a city with a strong Cathar community. Raymond Roger initially promised to defend it, but after hearing of the coming of the Crusader army, he abandoned it and hurried back to Carcassonne to prepare his defences.{{sfn|Peter of les Vaux de Cernay|1998|pp=82–88}}{{sfn|Tyerman|2006|p=579}} At around the same time, another Crusader army commanded by the [[Archbishop of Bordeaux]] took [[Casseneuil]] and burned several accused heretics at the stake.{{sfn|Oldenbourg|1961|pp=109–110}}