Raymond-Roger Trencavel
(1186 – 1209)
Viscount of Carcassonne, Béziers and Albi, Raymond-Roger inherited from his father at the age of only nine years old. He is brave and independent, a man of integrity, popular with his vassal lords and subjects.
Raymond-Roger is known to be tolerant of all religions and cultures. But he is also naïve; unaware of how vulnerable is his domain.
Raymond-Roger lives in the Château Comtal in the fortified hill town of Carcassonne. The château was built by his ancestors in the 11th century. He lives with his wife, Agnès, and their two-year-old son, Raymond.
Raymond-Roger is not a Cathar, although many of his subjects are. He adopts a laissez-faire attitude to Catharism – and, indeed, to other cultures and religions. He relies strongly on Jews to run Béziers, his second seat of power. His religious tolerance will contribute to his downfall.
As Labyrinth begins in 1209, Raymond-Roger has already rejected an alliance with his liege lord and uncle, Raymond VI of Toulouse. Despite the wise counsel of his Intendant – steward – Bertrand Pelletier, he fails to grasp that preparations in the north for a war against the south are too far advanced to be averted.
