Montfort's Parliament

Date: January 20, 1265 • Location: London, United Kingdom

Simon de Montfort summoned local representatives to the Palace of Westminster to attend a parliament, now considered to be the forerunner of the House of Commons of England.

Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester, 1st Earl of Chester, also known as Simon V de Montfort, was an English nobleman of French origin and a member of the English peerage, who led the baronial opposition to the rule of King Henry III, culminating in the Second Barons' War. Following his initial victories over royal forces, he became de facto ruler of England, and played a major role in the constitutional development of England.