Henry was very extravagant, and to get money had to call together his barons and bishops. These assemblies came to be called Parliaments, from the French Parler, to speak. The demands for money came so often, that the barons lost patience, especially as most of the money went to foreigners. At last, Simon de Montfort, although the son of foreign parents and married to the king’s sister, determined to check the evils of Henry’s weak rule. De Montfort was a man of great ability and moral worth, and was known in his time as Sir Simon the Righteous. A good reason for action was given when it was found that Henry had foolishly squandered a large sum of money in a war in Sicily, for the sole benefit of the Pope. In 1258, Parliament was called at Oxford to raise money to pay the Pope, and the barons came to the meeting armed, and prepared to force the king to accept advisers who would reform the Government. By the “Provisions of Oxford,” Henry had to accept a council to advise him; to give back the castles taken from Englishmen; and to hold three Parliaments a year. The king’s son, Edward, agreed to these “Provisions,” and De Montfort was among the first to give up his castles.
4. De Montfort’s Parliament.—But no real improvement was made in the government of the country. Some of the barons were satisfied to get back the castles, and to have the foreign favourites driven out of England, whilst others were jealous of the power and influence of Karl Simon. So in a little while matters were no better than before the “Provisions” were passed, and Henry had recovered nearly all his lost authority. At last, civil war broke out, and Karl Simon, supported by fifteen thousand Londoners, defeated the king at the Battle of Lewes, (A.D. 1264), and took him prisoner. Shortly afterwards, Prince Edward, who played a gallant part in the battle, surrendered himself to the Earl.
De Montfort now ruled for over a year, and in that year made 2 very important change. Until this time, no one had been summoned by the king to grant money in parliament except the barons, bishops, and great landowners. The people of the towns and cities, and the smaller landowners, were taxed without having any representatives in parliament. In fact, all that parliaments were called for was to get grants of money from the people. Now, however, Earl Simon called a parliament, and among others summoned
