VI: Montsegur under attack, a photo from Midi-Pyrénées, Sud

Photographer's Note

VI: Montsegur under attack

The siege of the 600 persons inside Montsegur lasted from May 1243 to March 1244. Surrounded by the 10.000 crusaders it was still some experienced mountain dwellers that scaled the steep cliff and gained a foothold on the upper plateau to the east (this photo displaying the east wall).

A huge ballista was brought up there in pieces and then assembled on the place, breached the castle walls with rock projectiles dug out from an open quarry on the mountainside.

Pierre Roger de Mirepoix then surrendered on condition his garrison was spared. A truce was made lasting from 1st to 15th of March 1244. The Cathars, who had not agreed to it, did not take advantage of this respite to try and escape their fate by recanting or taking flight.

Follow the interesting and dramatic end in the next posting.. (or go back to previous postings for more of the story).

Vertical stitch of 2 photos.

Ref: The Green Guide Langedoc Roussillon and the Montesegur information sheet

ChrisJ, elihesamian, jhm, Galmeida, jmdaoudal, Didi, magiqa trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

barrufeto_77 (28888) 2005-12-13 5:28

Hi Jack.

Superb POV of this famous castle. The definition and colors are good as well.

Well done!

Regards, Oscar

jasmis (58631) 2005-12-13 6:30

Amazing photo. Montsegur under snow is fascinating. Good POV and important note. Good work.

cessy (13647) 2005-12-13 7:28

excellent serie, Jack
very nice angle and composition
the contrast of colors also very good

ChrisJ (159946) 2005-12-13 10:14

Hi Jack

Wonderful graphism of the monolithic fortress against the blue sky. Good low pov, with excellent sharpness.

elihesamian (26149) 2005-12-13 13:34

...and 600 persons inside,...10,000 crusaders... !
Seems you had a very hard situation of light,despite the cloud,You managed the scene with its elements very well,excellent sharpness and colors you reached,Jack,I like it,nicely composed with notice to upwards POV,great one,
Yours
M

jhm (202883) 2005-12-14 2:56

Hi Jack,
I place at the moment no pictures, I have problem with the note in forum, deceitful information about my! Maybe friday a new picture.
A very good detailed picture, excellent sharp and very clear.
Have a nice day.
John.

Galmeida (12559) 2005-12-14 6:21

Hi Jack,
Excelent low angle and perspective approach to the old castle with fine contrast and excelent sharpness. Beautiful this enquadrement and contrast with the blue sky and in the lower base with withe snow. Good light, colors and graphism.

Very well seen, done and composed. Congratulations and have a nice week. Thanks for sharing and your good work.
Fernando

jmdaoudal (82) 2005-12-14 11:15

I like this composition for the reason it confirms how a FORTRESS must be seen, by a low POV.
Well done, powerfull and lighted.
TU for the note and the "inexpugnable" fortress.
jean Michel

Didi (61589) 2005-12-15 12:11

Bonjour Jack
Je ne sais pourquoi celle-ci a eu moins de succès, pourtant j'apprécie la variation de luminosité entre les ombres et les hautes lumières et le POV est très intéressant.

Hello Jack
I do not know why this one had less success, however I appreciate the variation of luminosity between the shades and the high lights and the POV is very interesting.

magiqa (1292) 2005-12-17 17:42

Montsegur is a place that I have high up on my wish list. I am fascinated by the story of the Cathars and have visited Carcassonne several times. This is a very good picture. Was it difficult to get up there?