Battle of Lewes
Lewes, Sussex
What happened
Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, led the rebel barons against King Henry III of England, his son Prince Edward and his brother Richard of Cornwall. Many English barons were unhappy with King Henry III and forced him to accept reforms called the Provisions of Oxford. King Louis IX of France then cancelled them, and Simon de Montfort rebelled. At Lewes in Sussex, Prince Edward chased part of the baronial army far from the battlefield. Without his horsemen, the king's foot soldiers were beaten on Offham Hill and driven back into Lewes, and the barons won.
Why it matters
Result: Baronial victory. Leaders: King Henry III / Prince Edward against Simon de Montfort / Gilbert de Clare. Why it matters: Simon de Montfort became the real ruler of England, and the king had to sign the Mise of Lewes. In 1265 he called a famous parliament that included representatives of ordinary townspeople, an important step toward parliaments like today's.
What came next
Prince Edward stayed a hostage of the barons until he escaped. Simon de Montfort was killed at the Battle of Evesham in August 1265.
Did you know?
The Earl of Cornwall was found hiding in a windmill after the battle, and the barons taunted him with cries of 'Come down, thou wicked miller.'
Timeline
- January 1264 CELouis IX of France cancels the Provisions of Oxford.
- 14 May 1264 CESimon de Montfort's barons defeat the king at Lewes.
- 1265 CEMontfort's parliament includes representatives from towns.
- August 1265 CEMontfort is killed at the Battle of Evesham.