The Crusaders, led by French nobleman Simon de Montfort, besieged and captured the town.

The Crusaders allowed the soldiers defending the town, Catholics, and any Cathars who had not yet reached the status of perfect to go free.

Its purpose was to squash the growing Cathar movement, which flourished mainly in the Languedoc region of what later became Southern France.

[4] After the fall of Carcassonne, papal legate Arnaud Amalric, who had led troops during the Massacre at Béziers, was replaced as commander of the Crusader force by Simon de Montfort, 5th Earl of Leicester, although Amalric continued to accompany the army.

[6] It is located at the confluence of the Cesse and Brian rivers, which has cut deep ravines in the nearby area.

[10] In the winter of 1209-1210, large offensives ceased on account of the weather and small size of the Crusader army.

In March and April, the Crusaders conducted successful raids against food sources near Minerve, capturing many important areas nearby and effectively isolating the city.

On the west, a rock thrower called a petraria (trebuchet) was used, in one of its earliest appearances in Europe.

[17] Laurence Marvin calls Simon's techniques an example of "a skillful use of siege warfare to take castles in geographically hostile conditions.

[18] Simon wished to treat the occupants leniently, but Amalric wanted them put to death.

[19] The soldiers entered the town singing Te Deum, while the Cathars, segregated male and female, knelt in prayer.

[19] Cistercian monk Peter of Vaux-de-Cernay records two miracles which allegedly took place during the siege of Minerve.