New
New
Year 7

Simon de Montfort and the First Parliament

I can explain the struggle between the king and the barons and the introduction of parliament.

New
New
Year 7

Simon de Montfort and the First Parliament

I can explain the struggle between the king and the barons and the introduction of parliament.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Since Magna Carta, a special meeting of barons and bishops had become known as parliament.
  2. Simon de Montfort confronted Henry in parliament because he was not keeping to the aims of Magna Carta.
  3. Simon de Montfort established the First Parliament.
  4. Simon de Montfort was eventually defeated in the Battle of Evesham.
  5. Henry III was restored to power, he accepted some of the baronial demands and ruled more with parliament.

Keywords

  • Parliament - parliament, or talking meeting, is the group of political representatives who make laws, grant taxes and advise the king

  • Government - a government is the group of people who officially control a country

  • Council - a council is a group of people chosen to make decisions on a particular subject

  • Knightly class - the knightly class is the group of landholders beneath the barons

Common misconception

Parliament is a powerful organisation that rules the country.

At this point in history, the role of parliament was to advise the king.

Show images and extracts from the illuminated manuscripts of the St Albans chronicler, Matthew Paris. They are an entertaining source for this period. Offering contemporary observations and sensational royal court gossip.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What was the nature of the 1225 Magna Carta's agreement?
Correct answer: a consensual agreement between the king, the Church, and the barons
a decision made solely by Henry III
an agreement forced by the Church
an agreement imposed by foreign nobles
Q2.
How did Henry III rule with Magna Carta in the 1230s?
he completely ignored it
he tried to abolish it
Correct answer: he tried to follow its promises
Q3.
What were the weaknesses of Henry III's leadership? Select two correct answers.
Correct answer: he got England into huge debts
he had no control over the Church
Correct answer: he lacked military skill
Q4.
How did Henry III treat foreign nobles in the 1240s?
he fought wars against them
Correct answer: he gave them land and positions in leadership
he restricted their rights in England
Q5.
How did the native English nobles react to the arrival of foreign-born nobles?
they welcomed them with open arms
Correct answer: they felt betrayed and angered
they ignored their presence
Q6.
Match the key words with the correct definitions.
Correct Answer:consensual,a willing agreement of all the people involved

a willing agreement of all the people involved

Correct Answer:nobility,group of people who have a high rank in the feudal system

group of people who have a high rank in the feudal system

Correct Answer:native nobles,refers to the nobles who were born in England

refers to the nobles who were born in England

6 Questions

Q1.
Write the missing word. Tensions were high between Henry III and the English barons. One man whom the English barons seemed to trust was de Montfort.
Correct Answer: Simon, simon
Q2.
How did Henry III eventually respond to the Provisions of Oxford?
he accepted the changes for the rest of his reign
Correct answer: he built support and launched what became known as the Second Barons’ War
he lost support and the barons launched the Second Barons’ War
Q3.
Who were the members of the knightly class?
bishops and priests
Correct answer: landholders beneath the barons
members of the royal family
Q4.
Starting with earliest, sort the following events into time order.
1 - de Montfort confronted Henry in the Westminster parliament
2 - de Montfort’s ‘First Parliament’ included people from the knightly class
3 - de Montfort was cut to pieces at Battle of Evesham
4 - monarchy was restored
Q5.
What was unique about Simon de Montfort’s ‘First Parliament’?
Correct answer: it included representatives from the knightly class
it was held outside of England
only barons and bishops were allowed to participate
Q6.
What is the definition of 'government'?
the ceremonial head of state
Correct answer: the group of people who officially control a country
the highest court of law
the religious leadership

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