Arriving in England

1230 When the middle brother died during another siege, the oldest brother Amaury had only Simon to contend with for […]

The crimes of the father

1218 Simon’s namesake father had gained fame throughout Europe for his ruthless suppression of the Cathars during the Albigensian Crusade. […]

The third son

1208 Simon de Montfort was described as “tall in body and handsome in face.” He was also said to have […]

The simple king

1207 Stout and florid in later life, no doubt from a love of good wine, the one physical feature of […]

Simon and Henry

Next door to the cathedral is the Palace of Westminster with its iconic clock tower. It’s home to the houses […]

The true visionary

The Westminster Abbey we know today was the vision of King Henry III. A fickle man of unsteady purpose, Henry […]