WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE PARLIAMENTARY HISTORY OF HIS TIME
BY
GEORGE WALTER PROTHERO
CHAPTERS
I.Introduction a. Rise of Parliamentary Government b. The Great Charter c. Early Years of Henry III
II. Family and Early Life of Simon de Montfort
III.Parliamentary History, 1232-1249
IV. Simon de Montfort in Gascony
V. Parliamentary History, 1249-1257
VI. The Position of Parties in 1258
VII.The Revolution of 1258
VIII.The Reaction
IX.The Barons’ War
X. The Government of Simon de Montfort
XI.The Last Year
Miracles of Simon de Montfort
PREFACE
If the attempt to go over ground already trodden by a historian of the power and learning of Dr. Pauli should carry with it an appearance of presumption, I may plead by way of excuse, and, as I hope, of justification, that in the first instance I had thought of confining myself to the office of a translator, and of asking permission of Dr. Pauli to reproduce his history in English. But as I went further into the history of the period, I found myself unable to agree with many of his conclusions, while the necessity of fuller treatment in certain portions of the subject, especially the constitutional aspect of it, forced itself upon me. I therefore began to study the history of De Montfort’s time afresh, and the present volume is the result.
I have no fear of being charged with any wish of superseding the work of Dr. Pauli, or any others which may be the fruit of conscientious toil, for it is generally admitted by historical scholars that the student can derive nothing but benefit from carefully studying the views even of a large number of independent writers on the same subject. I trust, therefore, that the following pages may be found to contain matter, not to be found elsewhere, which may deserve the attention of the historical inquirer.
As regards the personal life of Simon de Montfort I have been able to add but little to the admirable account of Dr. Pauli. Still even here I have seldom relied on my predecessor, but have based my conclusions almost entirely on the records of the time. I say this however with no idea of casting a veil over my obligations to this eminent historian. The readers of this volume cannot fail to see the value which his work has for me.
The other book to which I owe most is, I need scarcely say, the ‘Constitutional History of England’ by Professor Stubbs; and here, again, if it should be necessary to anticipate any charge of not acknowledging my obligations, I may say that the portion of my book which has special reference to the constitutional struggle was written before the second volume of Professor Stubbs’ work appeared. In that part of the volume some of my conclusions involve a slight dissent from his views; but it was with hearty satisfaction that on reading his pages I found I was in the main in agreement with the greatest of living authorities. My obligations to him are, however, not only such as appear on the surface: I cannot sufficiently express my gratitude for the invaluable aid he has given me, especially in the correction of the sheets as they passed through the press. My best thanks are also due to Dr. Hort, to the Rev. H. R. Luard, and to Mr. Henry Bradshaw, for their kindly assistance and encouragement.
The references in the notes to Risk. Chron. are to the Chronicle of Rishanger, edited by Mr. Riley for the Master of the Rolls; those to Rish, de Bellis, &c. are to the other Chronicle attributed to the same author, edited by Mr. Halliwell for the Camden Society.
Kings College, Cambridge
January 1877.
CHAPTERS
I.Introduction
1. Rise of Parliamentary Government
2. The Great Charter
3. Early Years of Henry III
II. Family and Early Life of Simon de Montfort
III.Parliamentary History, 1232-1249
IV. Simon de Montfort in Gascony
V. Parliamentary History, 1249-1257
VI. The Position of Parties in 1258
VII.The Revolution of 1258
VIII.The Reaction
IX.The Barons’ War
X. The Government of Simon de Montfort
XI.The Last Year
XII.Conclusion & Miracles of Simon de Montfort
CHARACTER OF SIMON DE MONTFORT.
‘Erat signidem, &c.’ Risk, de Bellis, &c., 6. 7.
He was indeed a mighty man, and prudent, and circumspect; in the use of arms and in experience of warfare, superior to all others of his time; commendably endowed with knowledge of letters; fond of hearing the offices of the church by day and night; sparing of food and drink, as those who were about him saw with their own eyes; in time of night watching more than he slept, as his more intimate friends have oft related. In the greatest difficulties which he went through while handling affairs of state, he was found trustworthy, notably in Gascony, whither he went by command of the king, and there subdued to the King’s Majesty rebels beforetime unconquered, and sent them to England to his lord the King. He was moreover pleasant and witty in speech, and ever aimed at the reward of an admirable faith; on account of which he did not fear to undergo death, as shall be told hereafter. His constancy all men, even his enemies, admired; for when others had sworn to observe the Provisions of Oxford, and the most part of them despised and rejected that to which they had sworn, he having once taken the oath, like an immoveable pillar, stood firm, and neither by threats, nor promises, nor gifts, nor flattery could he be moved to depart in any way with the other magnates from the oath which he had taken to reform the state of the realm. He commended himself to the prayers of the religious, and humbly, as with brotherly affection, he begged to be allied with them, in the pouring out of prayers to God for the state of the realm and the peace of the church; and he was constant in supplication that divine grace might keep him spotless from avarice and covetousness of earthly things, knowing for a surety that many in those days were encumbered by such vices, as the issue of things afterwards made clear. To the religious and other prelates of the church, commended by honesty of life, he showed all due reverence; deserving to be called the perfect disciple of a perfect master; having been instructed in all good discipline, inasmuch as he clung with hearty affection to the blessed Robert, once Bishop of Lincoln, and gave his children to be brought up by him, and did many things by his wholesome advice. And the said bishop is related to have enjoined upon the Earl, for the remission of his sins, that he should take upon himself that cause for which he fought even unto death; declaring that the peace of the English church could never be secured without the temporal sword, and constantly affirming that all who died in her and for her should receive the crown of martyrdom. It is related by trustworthy persons, that the bishop once placed his hands on the head of the Earls firstborn son, and said to him, “My dearest son, thou and thy father shall both die on one day and by one hurt, for the cause of justice”. And of what sort was the life of the Bishop, the miracles, done by the grace of God at his tomb, sufficiently declare. And the Earl, like a second Joshua, worshipped justice, as the very medicine of his soul.
