Simon de Montfort

Montfort, Simon de 

Earl of Leicester. Born circa 1208 in Montfort, He de France; died Aug. 4, 1265, in Evesham. English political figure, one of the leaders of the baronial opposition to King Henry III.

De Montfort was among the authors of the Provisions of Oxford (1258), which sharply curtailed royal authority in favor of the barons. He contributed to the issuance of the Provisions of Westminster in 1259 and to the introduction of other measures that took into account the interests of the lesser knights and urban dwellers.

After civil war broke out in 1263, De Montfort and his supporters gained a victory over royal forces at Lewes on May 14, 1264. Becoming de facto dictator, or lord protector, of England, he summoned the first parliament in January 1265, thus laying the foundation for representation according to social estate in England. De Montfort’s forces were defeated by royal troops at Evesham, where he was killed in battle.

REFERENCE

Gutnova, E. V. Vozniknovenie angliiskogo par/amenta. Moscow, 1960.