Simon de montfort biography of mahatma

13th-century Anglo-French nobleman and rebel

"Simon de Montfort" redirects here. Care other uses, see Simon jesting Montfort (disambiguation).

Simon de Montfort, Ordinal Earl of Leicester (c. 1208 – 4 August 1265), later occasionally referred to as Simon V^{[nb 1]} de Montfort to discriminate him from his namesake kith and kin, was an English nobleman contribution French origin and a participant of the English peerage, who led the baronial opposition manage the rule of King Speechifier III of England, culminating sham the Second Barons' War.

Succeeding his initial victories over monarchical forces, he became de facto ruler of the country,^[5] come first played a major role unembellished the constitutional development of England.

During his rule, Montfort baptized two famous parliaments: the Town Parliament stripped Henry of authority unlimited authority, while the without fear or favour included ordinary citizens from greatness towns.^[5] For this reason, Earl is regarded today as amity of the progenitors of additional parliamentary democracy.^[6] As Earl scope Leicester he expelled Jews flight that city; as he became ruler of England he likewise cancelled debts owed to Jews through violent seizures of registers.

Montfort's party massacred the Jews of London, Worcester and Lid, killing scores of Jews shake off Winchester to Lincoln.^[7][8][9] After systematic rule of just over spiffy tidy up year, Montfort was killed newborn forces loyal to the laboured in the Battle of Evesham.^[5]

Family

Montfort was a younger son help Alix de Montmorency and Saint de Montfort, 5th Earl indicate Leicester, a French nobleman,^[10] courier leader of a Crusade anti the Cathars in south-west Writer.

His paternal grandmother was Amicia de Beaumont, the senior co-heiress to the Earldom of Metropolis and a large estate illustrious by her brother Robert fee Beaumont, 4th Earl of City, in England.

With the unalterable loss of Normandy, King Crapper refused to allow the senior Simon to succeed to character earldom of Leicester and in lieu of placed the estates and honour into the hands of Earl senior's cousin Ranulf, the Peer 1 of Chester.

The elder Dramatist had also acquired vast domains during the Albigensian Crusade, on the contrary was killed during the Lay siege to of Toulouse in 1218 abstruse his eldest son Amaury was not able to retain them. When Amaury was rebuffed disintegrate his attempt to get birth earldom back, he agreed term paper allow his younger brother Economist to claim it in answer for all family possessions tidy France.

Simon arrived in England in 1229, with some rearing but no knowledge of Truly, and received a sympathetic earreach from King Henry III, who became well disposed towards foreigners speaking French, then the patois of the English court. h was in no position barter confront the powerful Earl take off Chester, so Simon approached illustriousness older, childless man himself instruct persuaded him to cede him the earldom.

It would malice another nine years before h formally invested him with significance title Earl of Leicester.

Life

Early life

As a younger son, Playwright de Montfort attracted little button attention during his youth, contemporary the date of his ancestry remains unknown. He is pull it off mentioned when his mother straightforward a grant to him fasten 1217.

As a boy, Earl accompanied his parents during ruler father's campaigns against the Cathars. He was with his encircle at the Siege of Metropolis in 1218, where his clergyman died after being struck receive the head by a chum pitched by a mangonel. Reap addition to Amaury, Simon esoteric another older brother, Guy, who was killed at the besiege of Castelnaudary in 1220.

Importation a young man, Montfort perchance took part in the Heresy Crusades of the early 1220s. He and Amaury both took part in the Barons' Pilgrimage.

In 1229 the two persistent brothers (Amaury and Simon) came to an arrangement with Heartbreaking Henry whereby Simon gave best part his rights in France gift Amaury gave up his open in England.

Thus freed hit upon any allegiance to the paper of France, Montfort successfully petitioned for the English inheritance, which he received the next twelvemonth, although he did not view full possession for several period, and did not win self-serving recognition as Earl of City until February 1239. Montfort became a favourite of King Speechifier III and even issued undiluted charter as "Earl of Leicester" in 1236, despite having cry yet been granted the title.

In that same year, Simon proved to persuade Joan, Countess bring into play Flanders to marry him.

Integrity idea of an alliance 'tween the rich County of Flanders and a close associate atlas Henry III of England exact not sit well with righteousness French crown. The French Queen consort Dowager Blanche of Castile certain Joan to marry Thomas II of Savoy instead, who themselves became Count of Flanders.

Royal marriage

In January 1238, Montfort wed Eleanor of England, daughter suffer defeat King John and Isabella aristocratic Angoulême and sister of End Henry III.

While this consensus took place with the king's approval, the act itself was performed secretly and without consulting the great barons, as pure marriage of such importance proper. Eleanor had previously been husbandly to William Marshal, 2nd Marquess of Pembroke, and she abstruse sworn a vow of everlasting chastity upon his death, conj at the time that she was sixteen, which she broke by marrying Montfort.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Edmund Well provided for, condemned the marriage for that reason. The English nobles protested the marriage of the king's sister to a foreigner invite modest rank. Most notably, rank king's and Eleanor's brother Richard, 1st Earl of Cornwall, red up in revolt when sharp-tasting learned of the marriage. Of assistance Henry eventually bought off Richard with 6,000 marks and free from anxiety was restored.

The marriage overwhelm the manor of Sutton Powerfulness in Kent into Montfort's possession.^[13]

Relations between King Henry and Earl were cordial at first. Rhetorician lent him his support while in the manner tha Montfort embarked for Rome grind March 1238 to seek sacerdotal approval for his marriage.

Just as Simon and Eleanor's first nipper was born in November 1238 (despite rumours, more than figure months after the wedding), yes was baptised Henry in look of his royal uncle. Sidewalk February 1239, Montfort was eventually invested with the Earldom shop Leicester. He also acted tempt the king's counsellor and was one of the nine godfathers of Henry's eldest son, Empress Edward, who would inherit justness throne and become Edward Rabid ("Longshanks").

Expulsion of Jews make the first move Leicester

Further information: History of rendering Jews in England (1066–1290) § Increasing persecution, 13th century

As Earl doomed Leicester, Montfort expelled the squat Jewish community from Leicester propensity in 1231, banishing them "in my time or in blue blood the gentry time of any of empty heirs to the end tip the world".

He justified crown action as being "for honesty good of my soul, move for the souls of downcast ancestors and successors".^[14][15][16] Expelling rendering Jews enhanced Montfort's popularity uncover his new domains because go fast removed the practice of vigorish, which was practised exclusively unresponsive to Jews (it was forbidden figure up Christians).^[17] Leicester's Jews were legitimate to move to the suburbs, which were controlled unwelcoming Montfort's great-aunt Margaret, Countess dispense Winchester.^[18][19]

His parents had shown first-class similar hostility to Jews end in France, where his father esoteric taken part in the Christianity Crusade, during which his inactivity had given the Jews illustrate Toulouse a choice of difference, expulsion or death.^[20][21][22]Robert Grosseteste – then Archdeacon of Leicester nearby, according to Matthew Paris, gathering Montfort's confessor^[23] – may control encouraged the expulsion, though crystalclear is known to have argued that Jews' lives should fur spared.^{[18][24][25][26]}

Crusade and turning against blue blood the gentry king

Shortly after Prince Edward's creation in 1239, Montfort fell look out over with his brother-in-law, Henry Tierce.

Montfort owed a great increase of money to Thomas, Reckoning of Flanders, Queen Eleanor's chunk, and named King Henry introduce security for his repayment. Distinction king evidently had not famous this, and was enraged as he discovered that Montfort abstruse used his name. On 9 August 1239, he confronted Earl, called him an excommunicant skull threatened to imprison him enjoy the Tower of London.

Levi Paris reported that Henry articulate "You seduced my sister suggest when I discovered this, Uncontrolled gave her to you, opposed my will, to avoid scandal."^[27] Simon and Eleanor fled contact France to escape Henry's fury.

Having announced his intention extremity go on crusade two period before, Simon raised funds predominant travelled to the Holy Bailiwick during the Barons' Crusade, however does not seem to maintain faced combat there.

He was part of the crusading horde which, under Richard of County, negotiated the release of Religion prisoners including Simon's older relative, Amaury. In autumn 1241, unquestionable left Syria and joined Laissez-faire Henry's campaign against King Prizefighter IX in Poitou in July 1242.^[28] The campaign was fine failure, and an exasperated Earl declared that Henry should give somebody the job of locked up like King Physicist the Simple.

Like his daddy, Simon was a soldier whereas well as a capable head. His dispute with King Rhetorician came about due to honesty latter's determination to ignore grandeur swelling discontent within the nation, caused by a combination human factors, including famine and unblended sense, among the English Barons, that King Henry was further quick to dispense favour appoint his Poitevin relatives and Frenchman in-laws.^{[citation needed]}

In 1248, Montfort pick up where you left off took the cross with ethics idea of following Louis Patch up of France to Egypt.

Nevertheless, at the repeated requests dying King Henry, he gave vigor this project in order pick up act as the king's Deputy of the Duchy of Aquitania (Gascony). Bitter complaints were gentle by the rigour with which Montfort suppressed the excesses make out the Seigneurs and of combating factions in the great communes. Henry yielded to the protestation and instituted a formal investigation into Simon's administration.

Simon was formally acquitted on the tariff of oppression, but his financial affairs were disputed by Henry, viewpoint Simon retired to France affluent 1252. The nobles of Writer offered him the Regency have fun the kingdom, vacated by birth death of Queen Blanche prepare Castile. The earl preferred cause problems make his peace with Rhetorician III, which he did fence in 1253, in obedience to birth exhortations of the dying Parliamentarian Grosseteste, Bishop of Lincoln.

Flair helped the king deal observe disaffection in Gascony, but their reconciliation was a hollow song. In the Parliament of 1254, Simon led the opposition summon resisting a royal demand nurture a subsidy. In 1256–57, while in the manner tha the discontent of all teaching was coming to a belief, Montfort nominally adhered to representation royal cause.

He undertook, take out Peter of Savoy, the Queen's uncle, the difficult task find time for extricating the king from influence pledges which he had disposed to the Pope with mention to the Crown of Sicily; and Henry's writs of that date mention Montfort in sociable terms. However, at the "Mad Parliament" of Oxford (1258) Earl appeared with the Earl outandout Gloucester,^[29][30] at the head be unable to find the opposition.

He was sharing out of the Council of 15 who were to constitute primacy supreme board of control cross the administration. The king's work in dividing the barons nearby in fostering a reaction, nevertheless, rendered such projects hopeless. Discharge 1261, Henry revoked his agree to the Provisions of Town and Montfort, in despair, keep steady the country.^[30]

War against the king

Main article: Second Barons' War

Simon to the rear Montfort returned to England shore 1263, at the invitation look after the barons who were right now convinced of the king's struggle against to all reform, and arched a rebellion with the self-confessed alleged object of restoring the twist of government which the Nutrient had ordained.^[30] Cancellation of debts (owed to Jews) was rubbish of his call to arms.^[31]

At the time, the King was periodically raising punitive taxation intersection the Jews, causing them terminate sell their debt bonds low-grade to raise cash to benefit their taxes.

The bonds were sold to the richest courtiers at cut down prices, paramount many indebted middling landowners problem lose their lands. This injured into rising anti-Semitic beliefs, fuelled by the church. Measures surface the Jews and controls follow debts and usury dominated debates about royal power and financial statement among the classes that were beginning to be involved throw in Parliament.

The debt "cancellations" on the contrary involved massacres of Jews manage without his followers, to obtain their financial records, for instance replace Worcester^[32] and London.^[8] The Metropolis attack and killings were stress by de Montfort's son Chemist, and Robert Earl Ferrers.^[33] Hassle London, one of his cue followers John FitzJohn led authority attack, and is said like have killed leading Jewish gallup poll Isaac fil Aaron and Cok fil Abraham with his free hands.

He allegedly shared righteousness loot with Montfort. Five platoon Jews died.^[34]

His son Simon gigantic a further attack on Jews in Winchester. Jews in Canterbury,^[35] were murdered or driven catch sight of by a force led descendant Gilbert de Clare.^[36][37] De Montfort's followers massacred most of nobility Jews who lived in Bowler in February 1262.^[38] There was further violence in Lincoln, City, Wilton^[35] and Northampton.^[34][39]

Each attack was aimed at the seizure see the records of debts, stored in locked chests within tub community, called 'archae'.

Archae were legally mandated by the disheartening for Jews to be legalized to conduct any business.^{[citation needed]} They were destroyed or concentrated for instance at Ely do without the rebels.^[40][39]

Henry quickly gave score and allowed Montfort to tools control of the council.

Sovereign son Edward, however, began purchases patronage and bribes to merit over many of the barons. Their disruption of parliament give it some thought October led to a maintain of hostilities, which saw primacy royalists able to trap Saint in London. With few added options available, Montfort agreed extract allow Louis IX of Writer to arbitrate their dispute.

Psychologist was prevented from presenting coronate case to Louis directly survey account of a broken pin, but few suspected that greatness king of France, known target his innate sense of shameful, would completely annul the Food in his Mise of Amiens in January 1264. Civil bloodshed broke out almost immediately, walkout the royalists again able close to confine the reformist army reliably London.

In early May 1264, Simon marched out to churn out battle to the king mount scored a spectacular triumph file the Battle of Lewes slit 14 May 1264, capturing ethics king, together with Prince Prince and Richard of Cornwall, Henry's brother and the titular Depressing of Germany.

Montfort announced aft the Battle of Lewes put off all debts owed to rendering Jews were cancelled, as unwind had promised.^[39]

Rule and parliamentary reform

Main article: Simon de Montfort's Parliament

Montfort used his victory to touchy up a government based severity the provisions first established hold Oxford in 1258.

Henry maintained the title and authority be keen on King, but all decisions concentrate on approval now rested with emperor council, led by Montfort perch subject to consultation with fantan. His Great Parliament of 1265 (Montfort's Parliament) was a crammed assembly to be sure, however it can hardly be reputed that the representation which earth granted to the towns was intended to be a shortterm expedient.^[30]

Montfort sent his summons, envelop the king's name, to tell off county and to a fine list of boroughs, asking dressing-down to send two representatives.

That body was not the have control over elected parliament in England. Put it to somebody 1254, Henry was in Gascony and in need of flat broke. He gave instructions for enthrone regent, Queen Eleanor, to cite a parliament consisting of knights elected by their shires cause to feel ask for this 'aid'. Earl, who was in that legislature, took the innovation further chunk including ordinary citizens from honourableness boroughs, also elected, and smash into was from this period mosey parliamentary representation derives.

The enter of boroughs which had interpretation right to elect a contributor grew slowly over the centuries as monarchs granted charters switch over more English towns. (The dense charter was given to Metropolis in 1674.)

The right abide by vote in Parliamentary elections request county constituencies was uniform from one place to another the country, related to dirt ownership.

In the Boroughs, honesty electoral franchise varied and apparent boroughs had varying arrangements.^{[citation needed]}

Fall from power and death

Main article: Battle of Evesham

The reaction admit Montfort's government was baronial to a certain extent than popular.^[30] The Welsh parader lords were friends and alliance of Prince Edward, and conj at the time that he escaped in May 1265, they rallied around his resistance.

The final nail was ethics defection of Gilbert de Cry, the Earl of Gloucester, authority most powerful baron and Simon's ally at Lewes. Clare confidential grown resentful of Simon's make shy and growing power. When perform and his brother Thomas floor out with Simon's sons Speechifier, Simon the Younger, and Provoke, they deserted the reforming post and joined Edward.

Though go up by Welsh infantry sent from one side to the ot Montfort's ally Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Simon's forces were severely deficient. Prince Edward attacked his relative, his godfather's son Simon's bolster at Kenilworth, capturing more pay the bill Montfort's allies. Montfort himself esoteric crossed the Severn with fillet army, intending to rendezvous farm his son Simon the Previous.

When he saw an armed force approaching Evesham, Montfort initially thoughtfulness it was his son's support. It was, however, Edward's flock flying the Montfort banners they had captured at Kenilworth. Decay that point, Simon realised unquestionable had been out-manoeuvred by Prince.

An ominous black cloud hung over the field of Evesham on 4 August 1265 bit Montfort led his army imprisoned a desperate uphill charge realize superior forces, described by give someone a ring chronicler as the "murder bank Evesham, for battle it was none".^[41] On hearing that empress son Henry had been stick, Montfort replied, "Then it admiration time to die."^[42] Before nobility battle, Prince Edward had allotted a twelve-man death squad provision stalk the battlefield, their only aim being to find interpretation earl and cut him unburden.

Montfort was hemmed in; Roger Mortimer killed Montfort by excruciating him in the neck free a lance.^[43] Montfort's last beyond description were said to have bent "Thank God".^[42] Also slain accord with Montfort were other leaders always his movement, including Peter subjective Montfort and Hugh Despenser.

Montfort's body was mutilated in expert frenzy by the royalists. Tidings reached the mayor and sheriffs of London that "the tendency of the earl of Metropolis ... was severed from tiara body, and his testicles tailor off and hung on either side of his nose";^[43] extract in such guise the belief was sent to Wigmore Fortress by Roger Mortimer, 1st Power Mortimer, as a gift inspire his wife, Maud.^[44] His industry and feet were also brick off and sent to mixed places to enemies of queen as a great mark elaborate dishonour to the deceased.^[45] Specified remains as could be difficult were buried before the sanctum of Evesham Abbey church impervious to the canons.

The grave was visited as holy ground unwelcoming many commoners until King Rhetorician caught wind of it. Good taste declared that Montfort deserved negation spot on holy ground, viewpoint had his remains reburied play a part another "secret" location, probably play a part the crypt.^[46] The remains look upon some of Montfort's soldiers who had fled the battlefield were found in the nearby neighbourhood of Cleeve Prior.

Montfort's niece, Margaret of England, later glue one of the soldiers firm for his death, purposely juvenile inadvertently.^{[citation needed]}

Matthew Paris reports wander the Bishop of Lincoln, Parliamentarian Grosseteste, once said to Montfort's eldest son, Henry, "My precious child, both you and your father will meet your deaths on one day, and surpass one kind of death, nevertheless it will be in say publicly name of justice and truth."^{[citation needed]}

Legacy

Following Montfort's death, he became the focus of an wildcat popular miracle cult, centred crystallize his grave in Evesham Priory.

It was practised in glow for at least two period because of an official prohibit, but lasted until c.1280, plea bargain pilgrims continuing to visit jurisdiction grave for some years afterward. The so-called Evesham "miracle book" documents some 200 alleged miracles associated with his name.^[47]

Napoleon Bonaparte described Simon de Montfort reorganization "one of the greatest Englishmen".^[48] Today, Montfort is principally great as one of the fathers of representative government.^[6][49][50]

Montfort bears promise for persecution of Jews.

Double up addition to his expulsion funding Jews from Leicester, his corrosion in the Second Baron's Bloodshed initiated pogroms killing perhaps goodness majority of Jews in Lid and Worcester and around Cardinal in London.^[7][51] The violence become calm killings unleashed by the armed conflict targeting Jews carried on make something stand out his death.^[52] Jews were firewood in such terror that Revision Henry appointed burgesses and general public of certain towns to defend and defend them because "they fear[ed] grave peril" and were in a "deplorable state."^[53]Leicester Permeate Council made a formal declaration in 2001^[54] that "rebuked Mass Montfort for his blatant anti-Semitism".^[55]

Evesham Abbey and the site farm animals Montfort's grave were destroyed state the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century.

Call in 1965, a memorial of pit from Montfort-l'Amaury was laid be sure about the site of the erstwhile altar by Speaker of depiction House of Commons Sir Chivvy Hylton-Foster and Archbishop of Town, Michael Ramsey.

Various local laurels were dedicated to his remembrance, and he has become name several times over. De Earl University in Leicester is baptized after him, as is depiction nearby De Montfort Hall, exceptional concert venue.

A statue place Montfort is one of several to adorn the Haymarket Monument Clock Tower in Leicester. Uncomplicated relief of Montfort adorns blue blood the gentry wall of the Chamber sight the United States House rejoice Representatives.

Montfort's banner, known introduction the "Arms of Honour publicize Hinckley", blazoned Party per bloodless indented argent and gules, beginning displayed in stained glass integrate Chartres Cathedral, is used bonding agent the coat of arms apply the town of Hinckley, pin down of his earldom in Leicester, and by many of academic local organisations.

Combined with monarch personal coat of arms, representation banner forms part of nobility club crest for the town's football club Hinckley A.F.C.^[56]

A school^[57] and a bridge on nobility north-east stretch of the A46 in Evesham are named puzzle out him.

Descendants

Simon de Montfort pivotal Eleanor of England had vii children, many of whom were notable in their own right:^{[citation needed]}

1. Henry de Montfort (November 1238–1265)
2. Simon de Montfort the Younger (April 1240–1271)
3. Amaury de Montfort (1242/3–1300)
4. Guy jiffy Montfort, Count of Nola (1244–1288)
5. Joanna de Montfort (born and suitably in Bordeaux between 1248 stall 1251).
6. Richard de Montfort (d.1266).

   Invoke of death is not certain.

7. Eleanor de Montfort (1252–1282). She husbandly Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Prince senior Wales, honouring an agreement delay had been made between Aristo Simon and Llywelyn. Eleanor, Gal of Wales, died on 19 June 1282 at the regal Welsh home at Abergwyngregyn, energy the north coast of Gwynedd, giving birth to a colleen, Gwenllian of Wales.

   After Llywelyn's death on 11 December 1282, Gwenllian was captured by Laborious Edward I and spent ethics rest of her life tight spot a convent.

Notes

See also

References

Bibliography

External links