Lastours, Cathar castles north of Carcassonne, Languedoc
The Perfect Heresy, by Stephen O'Shea has a chapter "bad neighbours" which starts with a story about Lastours.When Troubadours travelled the land one of the most beautiful ladies was Etiennette de Pennautier, or Loba.Many famous men sought to woo her.Including:
- Bertrand of Saissac.
- Aimery of Montreal
- and Raymond Roger of Foix.
She lived in Cabaret, one of the 3 castles of Lastours.The others were Surdespine and Quertinheux.
These 2 castles became a mecca for the troubadours.From their rugged heights you could see Carcassonne 10 miles to the south.
A few weeks after the fall of Carcassonne , Simon de Montfort tried to attack Cabaret. However the wild terrain made a long seige very difficult.
After their withdrawal Cabaret became a nerve centre for the local resistance to Simon de Montfort.Raiding parties frequently ventured south to attack the knights of the Pope.
However in April 1210 approximately 100 men arrived from Bram. They had all been blinded and their noses and upper lips sliced off. All victims of the Soldiers of Christ.Ever after Cabaret and Lastours would be associated with tragedy.