My good friend, the chronicler of the Mayor of London has written an excellent description of what has become known as the ‘Mad Parliament’. A lot of people seem to agree with the action taken by Simon de Montfort and the barons. They set out a new form of government in a document known as the Provisions of Oxford. Because of this document, King Henry III has been forced to rule with the advice of 24 councillors, but 12 of these councillors are chosen by the barons rather than the king. They have elected Hugh Bigod as a Justiciar, a chief minister who represents the power of the King when he is absent.
Extract from the Chronicles of the Mayors and Sheriffs of London 1258
London Metropolitan Archives
Test your understanding
What do the barons want abolished?
Close, but not quite right...
Try listening to the document transcript once more?
You’re right! Indeed, the barons want to abolish bad customs they believe have oppressed and aggrieved the country...
Why have the barons rebelled against Henry III?
- Is it because Simon de Montfort is an ambitious traitor who wants power for himself? Is he not really interested in the liberties granted by Magna Carta and is acting like a revolutionary dictator by seizing power?
- Or is it Henry who cannot be trusted? Has he ruled the kingdom badly and he is also trying to get out of commitments he has made to rule according to Magna Carta and the Provisions of Oxford?
- It is the view of this chronicle that the barons have rebelled against King Henry III because…
