Fascinating Facts: Henry III

After the chaotic reign of King John, his sudden death left his son, Henry III, on the throne at the age of only 9!

Fascinating Facts: Henry III [1216-1272]

• When his father John died, Henry was nine years old, and large swathes of the richest and most populous parts of England were in French hands.
• His guardians William Marshal and Hubert de Burgh became regents and settled things with the barons so the country could be united against the French.
• Within a year of his accession, stability and order had been restored.
• The regents governed well, but he was a weak and immature king his whole life.
• He had a high appreciation of art and patronised fine craftsmen.
• Unlike his predecessors, he had a happy marriage and nine children. He appears to have been faithful – also a rarity.
• In 1250 he vowed to go on crusade, but never went.
• He was defeated at the battle of Lewes by Simon de Montford, and his eldest son Edward handed over as a hostage.
• Edward escaped, raised an army, and defeated de Montford at the battle of Evesham.
• From then on, Henry left the rule of the kingdom to Edward, and was king in name only.
• In his retirement, Henry built Westmister Abbey, where the remains of Edward the Confessor were enshrined.