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.
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