WHY DID SIMON DE MONTFORT FIGHT AT EVESHAM?

In 1264, nearly 50 years after the Magna Carta, the Second Barons’ War broke out. It was provoked by a breakdown in trust between Henry III and a group of his leading barons. As with the first civil war, it was fought over the importance of upholding the Great Charter and maintaining good government. The leader of the rebels was Simon de Montfort.

Simon de Montfort was a charismatic figure. The son of a crusader, he was a skilful military commander, deeply