Oxford Parliament (1258)
Encyclopedia
The Oxford Parliament, also known as the "Mad Parliament" and the "First English Parliament", assembled during the reign of Henry III of England
. It was established by Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester
. The parlour or prolocutor (Speaker
) was Peter de Montfort
under the direction of Simon de Montfort. Simon de Montfort led the Parliament and the entire country of England for 18 months, from 1264 until his death at the Battle of Evesham
.
Parliaments, sometimes as informally assembled as a "parley" would be, were scenes of negotiations between Henry and the barons, who had tasted rule by aristocracy during Henry's minority. Parliaments had been held in a series since 1246, as Henry's position weakened.
In this parliament, the great magnates' disaffection with the King reached breaking point: shortly after the Parliament adjourned, a group of barons, led by Simon de Montfort, forced King Henry to accept a new form of government, laid out in the Provisions of Oxford
, in which power was placed in the hands of a privy council
, a Council of Fifteen members who were to supervise ministerial appointments, local administration and the custody of royal castles. Parliament, meanwhile, which was to meet three times a year, would monitor the performance of this council. Oaths of fealty were to be sworn to King and Council.
The Oxford Parliament of 1258 was preceded by Parliament of Merton of 1236 and followed by De Montfort's Parliament
of 1265.
Henry III of England
Henry III was the son and successor of John as King of England, reigning for 56 years from 1216 until his death. His contemporaries knew him as Henry of Winchester. He was the first child king in England since the reign of Æthelred the Unready...
. It was established by Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester
Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester
Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester, 1st Earl of Chester , sometimes referred to as Simon V de Montfort to distinguish him from other Simon de Montforts, was an Anglo-Norman nobleman. He led the barons' rebellion against King Henry III of England during the Second Barons' War of 1263-4, and...
. The parlour or prolocutor (Speaker
Speaker of the British House of Commons
The Speaker of the House of Commons is the presiding officer of the House of Commons, the United Kingdom's lower chamber of Parliament. The current Speaker is John Bercow, who was elected on 22 June 2009, following the resignation of Michael Martin...
) was Peter de Montfort
Peter de Montfort
Sir Peter de Montfort was an English parliamentarian.In 1257 he was High Sheriff of Staffordshire and Shropshire....
under the direction of Simon de Montfort. Simon de Montfort led the Parliament and the entire country of England for 18 months, from 1264 until his death at the Battle of Evesham
Battle of Evesham
The Battle of Evesham was one of the two main battles of 13th century England's Second Barons' War. It marked the defeat of Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, and the rebellious barons by Prince Edward – later King Edward I – who led the forces of his father, King Henry III...
.
Parliaments, sometimes as informally assembled as a "parley" would be, were scenes of negotiations between Henry and the barons, who had tasted rule by aristocracy during Henry's minority. Parliaments had been held in a series since 1246, as Henry's position weakened.
In this parliament, the great magnates' disaffection with the King reached breaking point: shortly after the Parliament adjourned, a group of barons, led by Simon de Montfort, forced King Henry to accept a new form of government, laid out in the Provisions of Oxford
Provisions of Oxford
The Provisions of Oxford are often regarded as England's first written constitution ....
, in which power was placed in the hands of a privy council
Privy council
A privy council is a body that advises the head of state of a nation, typically, but not always, in the context of a monarchic government. The word "privy" means "private" or "secret"; thus, a privy council was originally a committee of the monarch's closest advisors to give confidential advice on...
, a Council of Fifteen members who were to supervise ministerial appointments, local administration and the custody of royal castles. Parliament, meanwhile, which was to meet three times a year, would monitor the performance of this council. Oaths of fealty were to be sworn to King and Council.
The Oxford Parliament of 1258 was preceded by Parliament of Merton of 1236 and followed by De Montfort's Parliament
De Montfort's Parliament
De Montfort's Parliament was an English parliament of 1265, instigated by Simon de Montfort, a baronial rebel leader. Although this gathering did not have the approval of king Henry III, and the members convened without royal approval, most scholars believe this was the first gathering in England...
of 1265.
See also
- List of Parliaments of England
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- Oxford Parliament (1681)Oxford Parliament (1681)An English Parliament assembled in the city of Oxford for one week from 21 March 1681 until 28 March 1681 during the reign of Charles II of England.Succeeding the Exclusion Bill Parliament, this was the fifth and last parliament of the King's reign. Both Houses of Parliament met and the King...
- Henry de BractonHenry de BractonHenry of Bracton, also Henry de Bracton, also Henrici Bracton, or Henry Bratton also Henry Bretton was an English jurist....