In 1258 the principal Barons of England, led by Simon de Montfort (Earl of Leicester), forced Henry to agree to a plan of government reform (The Provisions of Oxford), which restricted royal power by placing the administration of England in the hands of 24 Barons.

A few years later Henry went back on the agreement and sought to regain his authority, and so the Barons took up arms against him.

In the civil war that followed, the northern counties and those along the Welsh border declared for the King, whilst the Midlands and London supported de Montfort.

On the 14^th May 1264 the armies of both sides met at Lewes in Sussex. The Royalists formed 3 bands with Henry in the centre, Richard, Earl of Cornwall, to the left and Prince Edward (only 25 years old), to the right. The Barons formed 5 divisions, with the 4^th division made up entirely of Londoners. The King’s side was more experienced and stronger but Simon de Montfort had reserves at the ready.

Edward charged at the 4th division and recklessly chased them as they fled, taking himself away from the back up of the other 2 Royalist bands.

Simon de Montfort called in his reserves and attacked the remainder of the Royalists, weakened by the Prince’s absence. The Royalists were crushed and Henry and his chief nobles captured.

Simon de Montfort now sat as the head of the state. He freed Henry but kept Prince Edward hostage at Hereford Castle to maintain control over Henry.

Simon brought in changes to the make up of Parliament, which had until now consisted of nobility and clergy. He summoned Barons and Bishops, 2 Knights from each shire and 2 townsmen from every city or borough that had supported him.

However, dissension split the Barons, and the Earl of Gloucester went over to join the Royalists and Prince Edward, whilst exercising on his horse one day on Widemarsh Common in Hereford, escaped to Wigmore Castle and the Royalist Mortimer family.

Earl Simon and his son Simon joined together and marched on Prince Edward, who decided to attack the younger Simon de Montfort. The sudden attack surprised the younger Simon who managed to escape to Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire. Edwards’s men then marched to meet Earl Simon’s men to prevent him from rejoining his son.

Edward had Earl Simon and his men trapped and outnumbered: Edward’s men numbered 20,000 to Simons 7,000 untrained soldiers. Earl Simon realising the outcome declared, "May God have mercy on our souls for our bodies are Edwards."

Simon and his men fought bravely to the end but eventually the Earl was cut down fighting on foot, his body was mutilated and his head mounted on a lance.

In 1266 the Dictum of Kenilworth restored King Henry to full power, although Prince Edward became the real ruler.

Simon de Montfort the younger survived and by agreement the rebel Barons were granted amnesties and regained their estates by the payment of fines.

MG