(1) The Song of Lewes (1264)
May the Lord bless Simon de Montfort and also his sons and his army who, exposing themselves to death, fought bravely for the English people... Simon de Montfort had few men used to arms; the royal party was large, having assembled the greatest warriors in England... but God provided... since God is a help for those who are on the side of
justice. Thus it was right that God should help the Earl, for without God he could not overcome the enemy.
(2) Thomas Wykes, Chronicles (c. 1290)
Simon de Montfort... desired to put down the mighty and ruin their power... so that he might more freely and easily subdue the people, after having destroyed the strength of the magnates.
(3) Extract from the song The Lament of Simon de Montfort (c. 1270)
By his death the Earl Montfort gained the victory,
Like the martyr of Canterbury he finished his life;
The good Thomas would not allow holy church to perish,
The Earl fought a similar cause, and died without flinching.
(4) Matthew Paris, English History (c. 1275)
Earl Simon, who gave up not only his property, but also his person, to defend the poor from oppression, and for the maintenance of justice. Report goes, that Simon, after his death, was distinguished by the working of many miracles, which, however, were not made publicly known, for fear of kings.
