Rebellion Against Henry III

This study sheds light on the brave men who fought with Simon de Montfort in the 13th century English civil war—and continued the fight after his death.

The Montfortian civil wars lasted from 1259 until 1267. The death of Simon de Montfort at the 1265 Battle of Evesham ought to have ended the conflict. But when Henry III disinherited all the surviving Montfortians, the war was prolonged for another two years. The redistribution of estates occurred on a massive scale, as lands were either granted away by the king or simply taken by his supporters. In response, hundreds of rebels took up arms to defend their property.

"The Disinherited," as they were known, defied the might of the Crown longer than anyone could have imagined. Despite being leaderless, outnumbered, and out-resourced, they succeeded in forcing the king into a compromise. The Dictum of Kenilworth, published in 1266, acknowledged that Henry could not defeat the Disinherited with military force alone.

In this military history, David Pilling examines the effective use of guerilla-type warfare, as well as major actions such as the battle of Chesterfield, the siege of Kenilworth, and the capture of London. Rebel leaders such as Robert de Ferrers, the Earl of Derby, Sir John de Eyvill, and Sir Adam de Gurdon, David of Uffington and Baldwin Wake are covered in lively detail.