The Battle of Lewes, 1264
A violent clash between the barons and the King
Standing here on 14th May 1264 you would have witnessed one of the most important battles between rebel barons and King Henry III.
The King had a reputation for favouritism. The barons were split between his supporters and the opposition led by Simon de Montfort Simon de Montfort wanted to show that the King was not above the law but was its guardian. It was a brave decision for people to fight against their king.
Prince Edward spent the night of 13th May in the Castle. King Henry spent the night in Lewes Priory. The battle took place on the edge of Lewes. It must have been terrifying for the people of the town.
Simon de Montfort and his army won the battle. Henry and Edward took refuge in the Priory. The next day they signed a peace treaty called the Mise of Lewes. This treaty gave Simon de Montfort a lot of power over the King.
In 1265 Simon de Montfort called a parliament. It is sometimes described as the first House of Commons, because it included not only barons but also representatives from each Shire and Borough who were not from the nobility.
In the same year Simon de Montfort and the King fought again, at the Battle of Evesham, and Simon was killed.
Battle of Lewes
A 13th-century



writer said that 2700 people were killed in the Battle of Lewes. We think they were buried in large pits.
This harness mount was found. at Shoreham. It is decorated with the arms of John Giffard. He, or one of his men, probably lost it on their way back to Gloucestershire after the Battle of Lewes.
He fought with Simon de Montfort against the King. He changed sides in 1265 and fought with the King at the Battle of Evesham.
( photo captions )
- Henry III (1207-1272) was the son of King John and was only nine years old when he became king.
- He liked to live extravagantly and had immense power over his people. This picture shows part of the carving of Henry on his tomb in Westminster Abbey.
- This oil painting of the Battle of Lewes was painted in the early 20th century. It is not meant to be accurate, but to give a flavour of the battle.
- The figure on the white horse with gold harness is presumably the King fighting Simon de Montfort. Three of the King's horses were killed under him during the battle.

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