Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester
Overview
Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester, 1st Earl of Chester (23 May 1208? – 4 August 1265), sometimes referred to as Simon V de Montfort to distinguish him from other Simon de Montforts, was an Anglo-Norman
nobleman. He led the barons' rebellion against King Henry III of England
during the Second Barons' War
of 1263-4, and subsequently became de facto
ruler of England
. During his rule, de Montfort called the first directly elected parliament
in medieval Europe.
Anglo-Norman
The Anglo-Normans were mainly the descendants of the Normans who ruled England following the Norman conquest by William the Conqueror in 1066. A small number of Normans were already settled in England prior to the conquest...
nobleman. He led the barons' rebellion against King Henry III of England
Henry III of England
Henry III was the son and successor of John as King of England, reigning for 56 years from 1216 until his death. His contemporaries knew him as Henry of Winchester. He was the first child king in England since the reign of Æthelred the Unready...
during the Second Barons' War
Second Barons' War
The Second Barons' War was a civil war in England between the forces of a number of barons led by Simon de Montfort, against the Royalist forces led by Prince Edward , in the name of Henry III.-Causes:...
of 1263-4, and subsequently became de facto
De facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
ruler of England
Kingdom of England
The Kingdom of England was, from 927 to 1707, a sovereign state to the northwest of continental Europe. At its height, the Kingdom of England spanned the southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain and several smaller outlying islands; what today comprises the legal jurisdiction of England...
. During his rule, de Montfort called the first directly elected parliament
De Montfort's Parliament
De Montfort's Parliament was an English parliament of 1265, instigated by Simon de Montfort, a baronial rebel leader. Although this gathering did not have the approval of king Henry III, and the members convened without royal approval, most scholars believe this was the first gathering in England...
in medieval Europe.
