Simon de Montfort was born
in France in about 1208. His father was a large landowner, but when
he died he left his land to Simon's older brother Amaury. The de Montfort
family had owned land in England in the past and Amaury suggested
that Montfort should visit Henry
III in to see
if the land could be reclaimed.
Montfort arrived in England
in 1230. Henry liked Simon, was sympathetic to his
claim and gave him back his family lands. The king also agreed that
Montfort should become the new earl of Leicester. In return, Montfort
promised to pay a fee of £100 and to supply sixty knights in
time of war.
The new earl of Leicester
also agreed to become the king's steward, which involved him in organizing
ceremonial functions. This pleased Montfort as it enabled him to meet
most of the rich and influential people in England. As he was short
of money Montfort hoped that this would help him to meet a rich widow.
Montfort was an attractive
man with a title, and several women showed an interest in him. The
woman he chose was the king's sister, Eleanor. Married at nine and
a widow at sixteen, Eleanor was now one of the richest women in England.
The king was initially against the marriage but eventually Eleanor
managed to persuade him to change his mind.
As his brother-in-law,
Simon de Montfort became one of King Henry's main advisers. Henry
also valued Montfort's abilities as a military commander, and in 1248
sent him to take control of Gascony, one of the last areas in France
that was still part of the English empire.
After working closely
with Henry
III , Montfort
soon became aware that the king was a poor leader. Montfort developed
the opinion that the situation would only improve if the barons played
a more active role in running the country. Other leading barons shared
Montfort's views and in 1258 they decided to take action.
In May the barons went
to see the king. They demanded that in future the king should not
make decisions without consulting his barons. Fearing a civil war
that he would lose, Henry accepted their demands for reform (the Provisions
of Oxford).
Fifteen barons, including
Simon de Montfort, were selected to become members of this advisory
council. However, it was not long before Henry was ignoring his advisers.
When the barons complained, Henry bribed them with gifts.
Simon de Montfort refused
to change his mind over the need for a permanent council. Montfort
had a reputation for being sympathetic to the needs of ordinary people.
This helped him gain the support of the majority of people who lived
in the large towns and cities. For example, in London
the people rebelled against Henry and handed over the city to Montfort.
After rallying his supporters,
the king decided to take on Montfort's army. The two sides met at
Lewes in Sussex in on 14th May 1264. The
bishops of Chichester, London and Worcester, who were all supporters
of Simon de Montfort, attempted to negotiate a truce before the battle
started. However Henry, who had a much larger army and was confident
of victory, refused to do a deal.
Montfort had recently
broken his leg falling from a horse and had to direct operations while
sitting in a cart. However, it did not stop him winning a famous victory.
At the end of the battle the king had been captured and those members
of his army that had survived had fled from the battlefield.
Montfort and his second
in command, Gilbert the Red, now organized
a new parliament. As well as barons and leaders of the church, two
representatives from each town were invited to attend parliament.
The day-to-day running of the country was carried out by three men:
Simon de Montfort, Gilbert the Red and the Bishop of Chichester. However,
within a few months the barons started to complain that Montfort was
acting like a king.
Gilbert
the Red argued with Simon and left London.
In June 1265 Gilbert met the king's son, Prince Edward, in Ludlow.
The two men raised
an army and began their campaign by capturing Gloucester.
When Montfort heard about the size of his enemy's army, he is reported
to have said: "Let us commend our souls to God, because our bodies
are theirs."
A dawn attack at Kenilworth
on 2nd August 1265 took forces led by Montfort's son by surprise.
The following day Montfort's main army was attacked at Evesham.
Prince Edward's army had an easy victory and Montfort's outnumbered
army was slaughtered. After Simon de Montfort had been killed, his
body was mutilated. His head was cut off and displayed round the country
as a warning of what happened to people who rebelled against their
king.
The
Normans: Classroom Activities
(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)
Extract from the song The Reign of the Young Edward (c. 1270)
Although
by treason almost robbed of his own kingdom,
Edward overcome conquering
legions by a wonderful
effort.
The noble offspring carried
back his father to the government of the kingdom,
Wickedly wrested from him,
which he had longed
ruled.
(5)
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.
Available
from Amazon Books (order below)
