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Simon de Montfort ~ 1208-1265

The Greatest Overmighty Baron.
Born into a notable French family, Simon de Montfort left his homeland on his coming of age, to revive his family's old claim to the earldom of Leicester. By 1232 this claim had been officially recognised, largely because he had become a favourite of King Henry III. However, this favouritism was to sour in 1238 when the English barons protested at not being consulted about de Montfort's marriage to the King's sister Eleanor. After another quarrel the next year, Henry exiled the newly-weds.
De Montfort, however, was soon back in England, helping Henry plan his ill-advised attempt to invade France. He established his home at Kenilworth Castle, which was a gift from Henry. He became the King's right-hand man, and was sent on many diplomatic missions to the Continent. In 1248 he reduced English-held Gascony to obedience and in 1253 put down an English rising against his rule. However, his repressive measures produced a torrent of complaints, and Henry dismissed him.
Along with the English barons, de Montfort was beginning to see that Henry was unfit to rule without guidance. In 1258 they forced the King to accept the Provisions of Oxford, which severely restricted his power. But when Simon sought to remodel society by limiting the powers of the barons as well as those of the King, baronial unity quickly disappeared.
The discontented faction of the great barons was joined by the King himself, and tension grew until open war erupted in 1263. With the support of London, the clergy and many of the barons, de Montfort led the opposition to the King in the field. In 1264 at the Battle of Lewes, his admirable tactics defeated the over-confident Royalists. Henry and his son, the future Edward I, were both captured after the battle. Simon tried to win support by calling to Parliament representatives from the shires, and for the first time from the boroughs in 1265.
De Montfort's measures aroused the hatred of the barons. The royalist Marcher lords, led by Gloucester and Mortimer, arranged the escape of Edward. The Prince took command of an army, which routed de Montfort's forces at Evesham on 4th August 1265. In the battle Simon de Montfort and most of his followers were slain. The Royalist troops savagely mutilated his body, and placed his head on a pike.

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About the Author:

Ken Austin has lived in France for 15 years, is a webmaster and a writer of stories. He and his wife, Linda, run a holiday rentals business in the Dordogne region.

www.leslavandes.com

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