2. Simon De Montfort And Henry 111 Flashcards
When did Henry become king?
In 1216 after King John’s death, but as he was 9 a council of barons helped him to rule
Prince Louis of France went back to France and England was at peace
Magna Carta was reissued in 1216, 1217 and in 1225, just before Henry came of age to rule independently
How was there tensions between Henry and his barons?
Henry was strong willed and was always short of money
He lost major wars in 1230 and 1242 and depended on individuals for advice
Many of the barons felt increasingly isolated and there was a minor rebellion in 1233 when royal favourites were accused of making themselves rich at the expense of rivals. This forced Henry to sack some of his officials
What arguments did the Barons give to show that Henry wasn’t ruling properly?
He was always short of money and wanting more
Royal favourites were recovering better treatment before the law
That the role of foreigners in governing the country left out those outside the small royal circle
Sheriffs in countries were favouring Henry rather than applying the law fairly
What did this cause the barons to do?
At parliament in Oxford in June 1258, they issued the provisions of Oxford, detailing the demands
Henry 111 had no choice but to accept
Royal castles were seized and foreigners were removed from positions of influence and many sent out the country
Divisions soon appeared between the barons as some wanted moderate change, others wanting radical chance and others too concerned about the effect of limiting royal power too much so wanted little change.
There was a lot of tension between the King and Barons
Who was Simon De Montfort?
He was born in France 1208 and his family owned land in both France and England and he returned to England in 1230 to reclaim land that was lost.
He was very pious and wore a hair shirt under his ordinary clothes as a sign of his Christianity
He valued education and was close friends with the Bishop of Lincoln
He was also very principled - once he took an oath/promise, he didn’t change his mind
He was a successful military lease and strong character
How was he close with King Henry?
He paid homage to Henry in 1231 and he attended the Great Council.
He married Eleanor (Henry’s sister) and was wealthy, but Henry owed them a huge dowry, however Henry never seemed to have enough money to pay.
Simon went on a crusade but was persuaded by Henry to fight for England in 1241.
Henry sent him to France in charge of the English armies and was asked by Henry to make many negotiations with the French King
How did Henry and simon’s relationship began to become distant?
Henry put Simon in trial twice in 1252 and in 1260 after the peace treaty with the king as Henry seemed to no longer have need for Simon de Montfort.
How did Simon start to have conflict with Henry?
He became involved in the baron’s opposition to the King and was deeply involved with the Provisions of Oxford in 1258.
Simon also felt humiliated by Henry when he put him on trail for misrule. He was also short of money and felt annoyed that Henry still hadn’t paid him his dowry.
Hw did Simon and the barons began to start making a stand?
When a royal favourite lost their land, Simon and other barons were quick to seize their share
They demanded the removal of foreigners in influential statuses as they believed it was wrong from people from other countries to have power and influence in England.
But also if theses foreigners were removed, the barons could benefit.
Simon happily sided with the Knights and commoners to raise their grievances in parliament
What happened in May 1264?
Simon de Montfort and his army of barons defeated Henry at the Battle of Lewes.
Henry and his son Edward were captured and Simon was effectively ruler of England
However, some disliked Simon de Montfort as his sons were money-grabbers and many focused on the young prince Edward, when he managed to escape.
What happened in January 1265?
As the support of the Barons declined, he relied on the commons.
So in 1265, for the first time ever, representatives of the Commons e.g. knights and shires, were invited to parliament and their grievances were addressed in return for the right to tax them
De Montfort re-issued Magna Carta
What happened at the Battle of Evesham?
On 4th August 1265, a royalist army of 18,000 knights and infantry were led by prince Edward and vastly outnumbered Simon’s forces at Evesham.
De Montfort’s knights were quickly surrounded and mercilessly killed and de Montfort’s body was hacked to pieces
Infantry tried to flee but 4,000 were killed in Evesham abbey where De Montfort was later buried
Surviving rebel’s were punished and it took two years until the country was at peace.
Although Edward and Henry were in charge, they carried on by summoning Commons to parliament and get their consent for taxation
How is Simon de Montfort remembered?
Began role of commons - known of ‘Father of parliament’
The Song of Lewes were written after his victory
Simon believed he had the duty to rebel against unjust kingship - his death labelled him the martyr of freedom
Some revere him as principled and visionary
Others see him as a selfish dictator
A university was Kate named after him in Leicester
What was the overall effect of Simon de Montfort and stuff e.t.c?
It included rich merchants from the towns ( burgesses) as well as knights
Henry’s sin called many parliaments
Parliament challenged the king and ruled briefly following Charles 1 execution
By 191’ all ordinary people and women were entitled to vote for people in parliament
