Battle of Evesham
The Battle of Evesham took place on the morning of 4th August 1265. Simon de Montfort leader of the Baron’s Rebellion had defeated Henry III at Lewes the previous year and set up a form of government which had become increasingly unpopular.
Open war broke out again in May 1265 when Henry’s son Edward, held as a hostage, escaped and, after successfully defeating de Montford’s son at Kenilworth, caught up with de Montford at Evesham. Lookouts on The Abbey spotted Prince Edward’s forces massing outside the town. De Montfort declared “How skilfully they are advancing. Our bodies are theirs, our souls are God’s.” After a short battle he and his troops were cut down and although they surrendered they were pursued through the town and most were killed.
Despite the defeat and the death of Simon de Montford his name is still linked with parliamentary democracy. Many scholars believe this was the first gathering in England that can be called a parliament in the dictionary sense of the word. There is a memorial to de Montford in the Abbey Park in Evesham, although the battle took place at Green Hill on the northern approaches to the town.
