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Simon de Montfort
Earl of Leicester 1208/9-1265

 


The monument to earl Simon in Abbey Park, Evesham

The seventh centenary of his death at the Battle of Evesham was marked by the presence of the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Archbishop of Canterbury to dedicate a memorial to him in Abbey Park on the site of the former high altar of the abbey.

The memorial represents his place in our national history as an advocate of new ways to make the king's government more accountable.  The Great Charter (Magna Carta, 1215) had been the first step in that direction but, in practice, it was very difficult to enforce.  Earl Simon and others realised that the King's actions needed continuous supervision from a council of barons.

With this in view new rules were made at a parliament that met in 1258 in Oxford but, when Henry III resisted, a civil war broke out in 1264.  Henry was captured by Simon at the Battle of Lewes and he then governed England in the king's name for more than a year.


By his defeat and death on Greenhill, Evesham, on August 4th 1265 royal power was restored.  Prince Edward (the future Edward I) the victor at Evesham eventually accepted the need for consent which parliaments could give, and the need for wider representation.  Over seven centuries, up to the present day, the system of government passed through several periods of change as parliament evolved.

In Evesham today Simon's name is honoured, not only by his monument, but through the naming of a school, a bridge and several roads.

By his death on Greenhill he brought Evesham to the centre of our national history.  He spent his working life away from his French birthplace and he married the king's sister.  He became as firmly rooted in England as any one of his time and he learned the English language.  He was a controversial figure hated by many and loved by more.

We do well to remember the good earl of Leicester, a perceptive man who saw what had to be done and rose above his own frailties to pass on a heritage of principles, ideas and commitment to responsible government which has enriched us all. 

 


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© 2009 Simon de Montfort Society.  Except where indicated, all material on this site is the copyright of the individual author or artist and/or the Simon de Montfort Society and may not be published elsewhere without permission

Please make all proposals and requests for reciprocal links, notify problems and send questions regarding this web site to: earlsimon@aol.com

Last updated: 20 February 2009.