Wednesday October 22, 2008

At the end of the battle the castle of Lewes was in Royalist hands as was the priory.  The town itself was in the hands of the rebels, much of it in flames. Simon de Montfort did not have sufficient men to turn this stand-off into a decisive victory so earl Simon turned his attention on the priory.

Prince Edward, hawkish as ever, wanted to rally as much cavalry as he could and ride out to take the fight to the rebels.  Lewes was a Royalist town and enemies could soon rally to their King and he would be defeated. Simon knew that he had to finish what he had reluctantly started, and quickly.  There was no question of settling down for a prolonged siege.

He sent envoys to the priory, with threats to execute his prisoners. The Royalists were unmoved; they had important rebel prisoners, too.  More constructive negotiations went on into the night and concluded the next morning.  The settlement agreed was for the King to respect and uphold the Provisions of Oxford and all prisoners were to be released on both sides.  This latter provision sowed the seed for Earl Simon's eventual defeat: the released Royalists formed a solid cadre of support for the King in the Welsh Marches. 

Henry III became de Montfort’s puppet ruler.  While technically Henry was still King, Simon de Montfort became, in all important respects, a Lord Protector of England as if the King had been a minor. He was to keep the King at his side always, providing Simon’s rulings with the legitimacy of the Royal Seal. Earl Simon was now riding a tiger; however he tried to get off he was likely to meet teeth and claws.

As part of the settlement Prince Edward also became his uncle's prisoner.  Richard of Cornwall fled the field and took refuge in a windmill.  Many high-ranking escaped to France; Richard was probably among them.

This was a significant victory for the rebels but it did not produce stability. The war was still very much there to be won.