Editing Louis VIII of France (section)

===Albigensian crusade as King===
[[File:Louis VIII Marmande.jpg|thumb|Capture of Marmande by the future Louis VIII during the Albigensian Crusade in 1219. Manuscript by [[William of Tudela]] and anonymous continuator, [[Song of the Albigensian Crusade]], ink drawing, France, 13th century.]]
In 1223, Louis received a letter from Pope Honorius III, entreating him to move against the Albigensians. In early 1226, following the excommunication of [[Raymond VII of Toulouse]] at the Council of Bourges and the promise of a tenth of clerical incomes towards the next crusade, Louis took the cross, stating his intention to crusade against the Albigensians.{{sfn|Barber|2014|p=139}} 

In May 1226, Louis assembled his army at [[Bourges, France|Bourges]] and moving quickly captured the towns of Béziers, Carcassonne, Beaucaire, and Marseille.{{sfn|Strayer|1992|p=130}}{{sfn|Barber|2014|p=140}} However, [[Avignon]] resisted, refusing to open its gates to the French troops.{{sfn|Strayer|1992|p=131}} Not wanting to storm the city, Louis settled in for a siege. A frontal assault that August was fiercely beaten back.{{sfn|Strayer|1992|p=133}} On 9 September 1226, the town surrendered, agreeing to pay 6,000 marks, handing over hostages, and destroying its walls.{{sfn|Strayer|1992|p=134}} However, Louis' army took heavy losses besieging Avignon.{{sfn|Strayer|1992|p=135}} Finally arriving at Toulouse in October 1226, it was apparent his army was too tired and too weak to attack.{{efn|Barber states Louis' decision to not attack Toulouse may have been due to ill health.{{sfn|Barber|2014|p=140}}}}{{sfn|Strayer|1992|p=135}} Louis chose to return to Paris with the plan to attack Raymond VII of Toulouse next season.{{sfn|Strayer|1992|p=135}}