Simon de Montfort was a medieval leader of supreme ability and character. He came to England as a twenty-one-year-old who was recently knighted in France.  He possessed a deed for an estate.

Twenty-one-year-old king Henry accepted this title and befriended De Montfort.  Soon he became his brother-in-law as he married Princess Eleanor.  

The issues of the thirteenth century were divine right of kings versus council participation.  De Montfort, over time, became the leader of councils and tried to remain true to his feudal oath.  These struggles occurred...