The Barons' War (1258-65)

Political misjudgement at home, failures abroad, and massive debts led to baronial opposition against Henry III in 1258. The king's unwise judgement in favour of the Lusignian family in a quarrel against the baron John FitzGeoffrey was taken as the occasion for the barons' opposition under the leadership of Simon de Montfort. The Provisions of Oxford (1258) and the Provisions of Westminster (1259) limited the royal power to a by far greater extent than had been determined by Magna Carta.

Increasing disunity of the barons, however, helped the king to regain political control in 1261. The only baron who refused to accept Henry was Simon de Montfort who withdrew to his estates in France. In 1263 Simon returned to England and succeded in re-uniting a baronial reform movement, though on a much smaller scale than in 1258. Under Simon's command the reformers' army won a decisive victory over Henry and his loyal followers at Lewes in 1264. The king, his brother Richard, and Prince Edward were taken prisoners. The realm was ruled by a council presided by Earl Simon.

Yet, within months, the barons' faction crumbled by defection and Edward managed to escape. In 1265, Simon de Montfort was defeated and killed at the battle of Evesham.

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