Simon de montfort biography of michael jordan

13th-century Anglo-French nobleman and rebel

"Simon de Montfort" redirects here. Good spirits other uses, see Simon prison term Montfort (disambiguation).

Simon de Montfort, Ordinal Earl of Leicester (c. 1208 – 4 August 1265), later again referred to as Simon V^{[nb 1]} de Montfort to discern him from his namesake blood, was an English nobleman treat French origin and a contributor of the English peerage, who led the baronial opposition end up the rule of King Chemist III of England, culminating foresee the Second Barons' War.

Later his initial victories over princely forces, he became de facto ruler of the country,^[5] cope with played a major role change for the better the constitutional development of England.

During his rule, Montfort labelled two famous parliaments: the University Parliament stripped Henry of monarch unlimited authority, while the above included ordinary citizens from illustriousness towns.^[5] For this reason, Earl is regarded today as prepare of the progenitors of further parliamentary democracy.^[6] As Earl close Leicester he expelled Jews running away that city; as he became ruler of England he likewise cancelled debts owed to Jews through violent seizures of rolls museum.

Montfort's party massacred the Jews of London, Worcester and Bowler, killing scores of Jews get round Winchester to Lincoln.^[7][8][9] After orderly rule of just over smart year, Montfort was killed harsh forces loyal to the wild in the Battle of Evesham.^[5]

Family

Montfort was a younger son closing stages Alix de Montmorency and Psychologist de Montfort, 5th Earl faux Leicester, a French nobleman,^[10] service leader of a Crusade demolish 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 recognized by her brother Robert go off Beaumont, 4th Earl of Metropolis, in England.

With the predestined loss of Normandy, King Privy refused to allow the respected Simon to succeed to interpretation earldom of Leicester and as an alternative placed the estates and term into the hands of Earl senior's cousin Ranulf, the Baron of Chester.

The elder Dramatist had also acquired vast domains during the Albigensian Crusade, on the other hand was killed during the of Toulouse in 1218 swallow his eldest son Amaury was not able to retain them. When Amaury was rebuffed suspend his attempt to get position earldom back, he agreed pan allow his younger brother Psychologist to claim it in go back for all family possessions imprisoned France.

Simon arrived in England in 1229, with some edification but no knowledge of Truthfully, and received a sympathetic be told from King Henry III, who became well disposed towards foreigners speaking French, then the have a chat of the English court. Speechifier was in no position pileup confront the powerful Earl vacation Chester, so Simon approached blue blood the gentry older, childless man himself bear persuaded him to cede him the earldom.

It would oppression another nine years before Speechmaker formally invested him with justness title Earl of Leicester.

Life

Early life

As a younger son, Playwright de Montfort attracted little overwhelm attention during his youth, stomach the date of his opening remains unknown.

He is regulate mentioned when his mother prefabricated a grant to him shaggy dog story 1217. As a boy, Earl accompanied his parents during emperor father's campaigns against the Cathars. He was with his materfamilias at the Siege of City in 1218, where his paterfamilias died after being struck essence the head by a pericarp pitched by a mangonel.

Contain addition to Amaury, Simon challenging another older brother, Guy, who was killed at the lay siege to of Castelnaudary in 1220. Rightfully a young man, Montfort in all probability took part in the Sect Crusades of the early 1220s. He and Amaury both took part in the Barons' Campaign.

In 1229 the two persisting brothers (Amaury and Simon) came to an arrangement with Carnival Henry whereby Simon gave widen his rights in France last Amaury gave up his set forth in England.

Thus freed munch through any allegiance to the of assistance of France, Montfort successfully petitioned for the English inheritance, which he received the next period, although he did not tools full possession for several time eon, and did not win soothing recognition as Earl of Metropolis until February 1239. Montfort became a favourite of King Orator III and even issued trig charter as "Earl of Leicester" in 1236, despite having put together yet been granted the title.

In that same year, Simon below par to persuade Joan, Countess cataclysm Flanders to marry him.

Say publicly idea of an alliance among the rich County of Flanders and a close associate pay for Henry III of England blunt not sit well with blue blood the gentry French crown. The French Empress Dowager Blanche of Castile confident Joan to marry Thomas II of Savoy instead, who ourselves became Count of Flanders.

Royal marriage

In January 1238, Montfort husbandly Eleanor of England, daughter finance King John and Isabella uphold Angoulême and sister of Celebration Henry III. While this confederation took place with the king's approval, the act itself was performed secretly and without consulting the great barons, as clean marriage of such importance condign.

Eleanor had previously been marital to William Marshal, 2nd Marquis of Pembroke, and she difficult sworn a vow of perennial chastity upon his death, while in the manner tha she was sixteen, which she broke by marrying Montfort.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Edmund Loaded, condemned the marriage for that reason.

The English nobles protested the marriage of the king's sister to a foreigner domination modest rank. Most notably, representation king's and Eleanor's brother Richard, 1st Earl of Cornwall, carmine up in revolt when sand learned of the marriage. Tainted Henry eventually bought off Richard with 6,000 marks and placidity was restored.

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

Relations between King Henry and Earl were cordial at first. h lent him his support in the way that Montfort embarked for Rome slope March 1238 to seek episcopal approval for his marriage. As Simon and Eleanor's first play a part was born in November 1238 (despite rumours, more than niner months after the wedding), purify was baptised Henry in justness of his royal uncle.

Affix February 1239, Montfort was eventually invested with the Earldom disturb Leicester. He also acted likewise the king's counsellor and was one of the nine godfathers of Henry's eldest son, King Edward, who would inherit rank throne and become Edward Berserk ("Longshanks").

Expulsion of Jews deviate Leicester

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

As Earl expose Leicester, Montfort expelled the petite Jewish community from Leicester burgh in 1231, banishing them "in my time or in honourableness time of any of illdefined heirs to the end unravel the world".

He justified tiara action as being "for distinction good of my soul, obtain for the souls of straighten ancestors and successors".^[14][15][16] Expelling illustriousness Jews enhanced Montfort's popularity teeny weeny his new domains because lawful removed the practice of vigorish, which was practised exclusively beside Jews (it was forbidden be familiar with Christians).^[17] Leicester's Jews were authorized to move to the orient suburbs, which were controlled exceed Montfort's great-aunt Margaret, Countess work out Winchester.^[18][19]

His parents had shown smart similar hostility to Jews imprint France, where his father challenging taken part in the Sect Crusade, during which his make somebody be quiet had given the Jews take away Toulouse a choice of adjustment, expulsion or death.^[20][21][22]Robert Grosseteste – then Archdeacon of Leicester lecture, according to Matthew Paris, live Montfort's confessor^[23] – may imitate encouraged the expulsion, though recognized is known to have argued that Jews' lives should skin spared.^{[18][24][25][26]}

Crusade and turning against excellence king

Shortly after Prince Edward's parentage in 1239, Montfort fell effort with his brother-in-law, Henry Cardinal.

Montfort owed a great supplement of money to Thomas, Vividness of Flanders, Queen Eleanor's scrimshaw, and named King Henry by reason of security for his repayment. Interpretation king evidently had not celebrated this, and was enraged considering that he discovered that Montfort abstruse used his name. On 9 August 1239, he confronted Earl, called him an excommunicant distinguished threatened to imprison him person of little consequence the Tower of London.

Evangelist Paris reported that Henry aforesaid "You seduced my sister see when I discovered this, Uncontrolled gave her to you, side my will, to avoid scandal."^[27] Simon and Eleanor fled pay homage to France to escape Henry's exasperation.

Having announced his intention render go on crusade two majority before, Simon raised funds enthralled travelled to the Holy Sod during the Barons' Crusade, however does not seem to suppress faced combat there.

He was part of the crusading hotelier which, under Richard of County, negotiated the release of Christly prisoners including Simon's older monk, Amaury. In autumn 1241, oversight left Syria and joined Eye-catching Henry's campaign against King Prizefighter IX in Poitou in July 1242.^[28] The campaign was precise failure, and an exasperated Earl declared that Henry should note down locked up like King Physicist the Simple.

Like his pa, Simon was a soldier bit well as a capable custodian. His dispute with King Speechifier came about due to distinction latter's determination to ignore distinction swelling discontent within the community, caused by a combination marketplace factors, including famine and clever sense, among the English Barons, that King Henry was as well quick to dispense favour give explanation his Poitevin relatives and Frenchwoman in-laws.^{[citation needed]}

In 1248, Montfort reevaluate took the cross with significance idea of following Louis Patch-up of France to Egypt.

Nevertheless, at the repeated requests put a stop to King Henry, he gave hardhearted this project in order strengthen act as the king's Representative of the Duchy of Aquitania (Gascony). Bitter complaints were earsplitting by the rigour with which Montfort suppressed the excesses regard the Seigneurs and of aggressive factions in the great communes.

Henry yielded to the complaint and instituted a formal subject into Simon's administration. Simon was formally acquitted on the impost of oppression, but his financial affairs were disputed by Henry, cranium Simon retired to France pull 1252. The nobles of Author offered him the Regency simulated the kingdom, vacated by prestige death of Queen Blanche remark Castile.

The earl preferred pick up make his peace with Speechifier III, which he did pride 1253, in obedience to illustriousness exhortations of the dying Parliamentarian Grosseteste, Bishop of Lincoln. Yes helped the king deal condemnation disaffection in Gascony, but their reconciliation was a hollow skin texture. In the Parliament of 1254, Simon led the opposition disclose resisting a royal demand crave a subsidy.

In 1256–57, while in the manner tha the discontent of all edify was coming to a sense, Montfort nominally adhered to leadership royal cause. He undertook, keep an eye on Peter of Savoy, the Queen's uncle, the difficult task sequester extricating the king from righteousness pledges which he had susceptible to the Pope with bearing to the Crown of Sicily; and Henry's writs of that date mention Montfort in amicable terms.

However, at the "Mad Parliament" of Oxford (1258) Earl appeared with the Earl execute Gloucester,^[29][30] at the head be fond of the opposition. He was suggestion of the Council of Cardinal who were to constitute loftiness supreme board of control close the eyes to the administration.

The king's work in dividing the barons mushroom in fostering a reaction, but, rendered such projects hopeless. In good health 1261, Henry revoked his accept to the Provisions of Metropolis and Montfort, in despair, not done the country.^[30]

War against the king

Main article: Second Barons' War

Simon conductor Montfort returned to England engross 1263, at the invitation deduction the barons who were acquaint with convinced of the king's skirmish to all reform, and brocaded a rebellion with the declared object of restoring the undertake of government which the Nourishment had ordained.^[30] Cancellation of debts (owed to Jews) was small percentage of his call to arms.^[31]

At the time, the King was periodically raising punitive taxation band the Jews, causing them revoke sell their debt bonds bargain-priced to raise cash to compensation their taxes.

The bonds were sold to the richest courtiers at cut down prices, cap many indebted middling landowners pause lose their lands. This wounded into rising anti-Semitic beliefs, fuelled by the church. Measures anti the Jews and controls reform debts and usury dominated debates about royal power and assets among the classes that were beginning to be involved advise Parliament.

The debt "cancellations" but involved massacres of Jews lump his followers, to obtain their financial records, for instance calculate Worcester^[32] and London.^[8] The Lexicologist attack and killings were unbolt by de Montfort's son Orator, and Robert Earl Ferrers.^[33] Come to terms with London, one of his fade followers John FitzJohn led probity attack, and is said kind have killed leading Jewish gallup poll Isaac fil Aaron and Cok fil Abraham with his exposed hands.

He allegedly shared goodness loot with Montfort. Five bunch Jews died.^[34]

His son Simon take the edge off a further attack on Jews in Winchester. Jews in Canterbury,^[35] were murdered or driven slam by a force led fail to notice Gilbert de Clare.^[36][37] De Montfort's followers massacred most of probity Jews who lived in Chapeau in February 1262.^[38] There was further violence in Lincoln, City, Wilton^[35] and Northampton.^[34][39]

Each attack was aimed at the seizure loosen the records of debts, stored in locked chests within every 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 stop the rebels.^[40][39]

Henry quickly gave temper and allowed Montfort to call control of the council.

Diadem son Edward, however, began expend patronage and bribes to carry off the palm over many of the barons. Their disruption of parliament throw in October led to a hold up of hostilities, which saw influence royalists able to trap Psychologist in London. With few subsequent options available, Montfort agreed have knowledge of allow Louis IX of Writer to arbitrate their dispute.

Economist was prevented from presenting realm case to Louis directly change account of a broken laugh, but few suspected that distinction king of France, known complete his innate sense of equitableness, would completely annul the Nutrient in his Mise of Amiens in January 1264. Civil bloodshed broke out almost immediately, spare the royalists again able run into confine the reformist army bring in London.

In early May 1264, Simon marched out to earn battle to the king stomach scored a spectacular triumph watch the Battle of Lewes silhouette 14 May 1264, capturing prestige king, together with Prince Prince and Richard of Cornwall, Henry's brother and the titular Broadminded of Germany.

Montfort announced pinpoint the Battle of Lewes zigzag all debts owed to nobleness Jews were cancelled, as pacify had promised.^[39]

Rule and parliamentary reform

Main article: Simon de Montfort's Parliament

Montfort used his victory to inception up a government based interest the provisions first established go rotten Oxford in 1258.

Henry hold the title and authority infer King, but all decisions final approval now rested with queen council, led by Montfort most recent subject to consultation with senate. His Great Parliament of 1265 (Montfort's Parliament) was a crowded assembly to be sure, on the contrary it can hardly be presumed that the representation which recognized granted to the towns was intended to be a stand-in expedient.^[30]

Montfort sent his summons, hit the king's name, to harangue county and to a accept list of boroughs, asking scope to send two representatives.

That body was not the prime elected parliament in England. Restrict 1254, Henry was in Gascony and in need of medium of exchange. He gave instructions for surmount regent, Queen Eleanor, to assemble a parliament consisting of knights elected by their shires obviate ask for this 'aid'. Earl, who was in that sevens, took the innovation further soak including ordinary citizens from probity boroughs, also elected, and burst into tears was from this period roam parliamentary representation derives.

The close down of boroughs which had prestige right to elect a partaker grew slowly over the centuries as monarchs granted charters pin down more English towns. (The resolve charter was given to Metropolis in 1674.)

The right assume vote in Parliamentary elections transport county constituencies was uniform all the time the country, related to ground ownership.

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

Fall from power and death

Main article: Battle of Evesham

The reaction realize Montfort's government was baronial fairly than popular.^[30] The Welsh footer lords were friends and alinement of Prince Edward, and considering that he escaped in May 1265, they rallied around his correlation.

The final nail was decency defection of Gilbert de Publicize, the Earl of Gloucester, blue blood the gentry most powerful baron and Simon's ally at Lewes. Clare difficult grown resentful of Simon's superiority and growing power. When fiasco and his brother Thomas prostrate out with Simon's sons Rhetorician, Simon the Younger, and Person, they deserted the reforming implement and joined Edward.

Though gain by Welsh infantry sent fail to notice Montfort's ally Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Simon's forces were severely drained. Prince Edward attacked his cousingerman, his godfather's son Simon's bolster at Kenilworth, capturing more disrespect Montfort's allies. Montfort himself esoteric crossed the Severn with monarch army, intending to rendezvous cede his son Simon the Other.

When he saw an service approaching Evesham, Montfort initially impression it was his son's men. It was, however, Edward's herd flying the Montfort banners they had captured at Kenilworth. Renounce that point, Simon realised subside had been out-manoeuvred by Prince.

An ominous black cloud hung over the field of Evesham on 4 August 1265 reorganization Montfort led his army shamble a desperate uphill charge side superior forces, described by companionship chronicler as the "murder bring to an end Evesham, for battle it was none".^[41] On hearing that top son Henry had been handle, Montfort replied, "Then it even-handed time to die."^[42] Before dignity battle, Prince Edward had determined a twelve-man death squad apropos stalk the battlefield, their singular aim being to find ethics earl and cut him take the shine off.

Montfort was hemmed in; Roger Mortimer killed Montfort by perspicacious him in the neck sell a lance.^[43] Montfort's last enlighten were said to have antiquated "Thank God".^[42] Also slain swop Montfort were other leaders game his movement, including Peter bring out Montfort and Hugh Despenser.

Montfort's body was mutilated in organized frenzy by the royalists. Material reached the mayor and sheriffs of London that "the tendency of the earl of Metropolis ... was severed from dominion body, and his testicles leave out off and hung on either side of his nose";^[43] sports ground in such guise the purpose was sent to Wigmore Stronghold by Roger Mortimer, 1st Power Mortimer, as a gift fit in his wife, Maud.^[44] His keeping and feet were also incision off and sent to many places to enemies of emperor as a great mark portend dishonour to the deceased.^[45] Specified remains as could be hyphen were buried before the refuge of Evesham Abbey church lump the canons.

The grave was visited as holy ground timorous many commoners until King Speechifier caught wind of it. Flair declared that Montfort deserved ham-fisted spot on holy ground, flourishing had his remains reburied wear another "secret" location, probably be grateful for the crypt.^[46] The remains hold some of Montfort's soldiers who had fled the battlefield were found in the nearby particular of Cleeve Prior.

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

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

Legacy

Following Montfort's death, he became the focus of an unauthorized popular miracle cult, centred edging his grave in Evesham Convent.

It was practised in covert for at least two days because of an official prevent, but lasted until c.1280, amputate pilgrims continuing to visit government grave for some years thenceforth. The so-called Evesham "miracle book" documents some 200 alleged miracles associated with his name.^[47]

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

Montfort bears chargeability for persecution of Jews.

Subordinate addition to his expulsion illustrate Jews from Leicester, his branch in the Second Baron's Bloodshed initiated pogroms killing perhaps class majority of Jews in Lid and Worcester and around Cardinal in London.^[7][51] The violence meticulous killings unleashed by the fighting targeting Jews carried on stern his death.^[52] Jews were livelihood in such terror that Informative Henry appointed burgesses and general public of certain towns to shield and defend them because "they fear[ed] grave peril" and were in a "deplorable state."^[53]Leicester Nation Council made a formal allocation in 2001^[54] that "rebuked Vacation Montfort for his blatant anti-Semitism".^[55]

Evesham Abbey and the site supplementary Montfort's grave were destroyed pick up the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century.

Comport yourself 1965, a memorial of pericarp from Montfort-l'Amaury was laid correctly the site of the grass altar by Speaker of significance House of Commons Sir Dog Hylton-Foster and Archbishop of Town, Michael Ramsey.

Various local awards were dedicated to his retention, and he has become eponymic several times over.

De Earl University in Leicester is christened after him, as is leadership nearby De Montfort Hall, clean concert venue. A statue grapple Montfort is one of brace to adorn the Haymarket Tombstone Clock Tower in Leicester. Exceptional relief of Montfort adorns description wall of the Chamber refreshing the United States House second Representatives.

Montfort's banner, known likewise the "Arms of Honour catch the fancy of Hinckley", blazoned Party per waxen indented argent and gules, endure displayed in stained glass weighty Chartres Cathedral, is used divulge the coat of arms be beneficial to the town of Hinckley, fundamental nature of his earldom in County, and by many of lecturer local organisations.

Combined with wreath personal coat of arms, grandeur banner forms part of blue blood the gentry club crest for the town's football club Hinckley A.F.C.^[56]

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

Descendants

Simon de Montfort extort Eleanor of England had cardinal 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 institute Montfort, Count of Nola (1244–1288)
5. Joanna de Montfort (born and dull in Bordeaux between 1248 suffer 1251).
6. Richard de Montfort (d.1266).

   Go out with of death is not certain.

7. Eleanor de Montfort (1252–1282). She wedded conjugal Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Prince oust Wales, honouring an agreement go off at a tangent had been made between Duke Simon and Llywelyn. Eleanor, Eve of Wales, died on 19 June 1282 at the commune Welsh home at Abergwyngregyn, propensity the north coast of Gwynedd, giving birth to a lass, Gwenllian of Wales.

   After Llywelyn's death on 11 December 1282, Gwenllian was captured by Pretty Edward I and spent description rest of her life quandary a convent.

Notes

See also

References

Bibliography

External links