Simon de Montfort was considered an innovator when it came to warfare in England, but did he actually plan to set fire to London by ‘releasing an air force of chickens with flaming brands attached’? This curious anecdote can be found in Life in a Medieval Village by authors Frances and Joseph Gies, who cite Margaret Wood’s English Mediaeval House as the authority. Never mind the absurdity of Montfort even considering burning his strongest base of support to the ground, but where would he get these flying chickens in the first place?