Sublime

Peter Autier was from the small town of Ax-les-Thermes, up-country from Foix. He was born around 1240, and had made a comfortable life for himself as a notary.

The

eked

C’était un de ces hommes politiques à plusieurs faces, sans conviction, sans grands moyens, sans audace et sans connaissances sérieuses, avocat de province, joli homme de chef-lieu, gardant un équilibre de finaud entre tous les partis extrêmes, sorte de jésuite républicain et de champignon libéral de nature douteuse, comme il en pousse par

It was Peter who returned first, reaching Toulouse in the autumn of 1299. That the purpose of his visit was to see a money changer suggests that securing the mission’s finances were his priority. For all his careful planning, Peter’s cover was blown almost immediately, when he was recognised by Peter, the son of Raymonde de Luzenac, a rich widow

connaissances. Quand on lui demandait ce qu’il faisait dans la vie, Émile mentait. Pour se distraire du quotidien, il se prétendait architecte, explorateur, nageur ou bien encore matelot sans bateau. L’ivresse faisait glisser tous les mensonges.

Raymond Roger was coaxed out of the city by a relative to negotiate. The precise details of the deal are not known, but Raymond Roger managed to save the lives of all the people of Carcasonne – including all the Cathars – on the condition that they leave the city. On 15 August, they did just that. They were not allowed to take with them anything