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SUMMARY TAKEAWAYS
Summary ( Reviewed by a human)
The podcast features a discussion on the historical Battle of Evesham in 1265, where Simon de Montfort met his demise at the hands of a coalition force led by Lord Edward and the Marcher Barons. Despite being outnumbered, Simon de Montfort chose to engage in battle but was swiftly encircled and killed, along with his troops. The aftermath of his death saw an unusual treatment of his body for that era; it was dismembered, and parts were taken as trophies—a practice more common in regions like Wales and the Anglo-Welsh borderlands than in England and France, where chivalric norms prevailed.
Simon de Montfort's body parts were distributed among various individuals posthumously. For instance, a marcher baron's wife received a portion, while the monks of Evesham Abbey were also recipients. One of Simon's followers kept a foot, venerating it as a symbol of his saintly stature.
The narrative continues with the tale of Simon de Montfort's foot, which was salvaged from the battlefield and subsequently enshrined as a relic at Anak Abbey in Northumberland. This event catalyzed the formation of a cult in the Eastern Anglo-Scottish borders, likening Simon to a new Saint Oswald. A tract penned at Melrose Abbey chronicled the odyssey of Simon's body parts, including a hand that found its way to Cheshire and became emblematic of hostility.
Despite the veneration, Simon de Montfort never attained official sainthood. In the 13th century, sainthood could be conferred through popular acclaim or papal endorsem*nt. Simon's opposition to the king precluded papal recognition, yet cults emerged around his relics in Evesham and Anakabi, with followers seeking healing miracles. One such miracle involved his hand, which purportedly levitated during mass, bewildering the intended recipient. These accounts underscore the existence of a "dark trophy economy" prevalent in the Welsh marshes, where enemy body parts were exchanged as tokens of victory, enmity, or affection.
Women also participated in this macabre tradition, which served to demonstrate prowess or convey complex sentiments. Simon de Montfort's case is particularly noteworthy due to his contentious alliances with the Welsh against the Anglo-Welsh borderland barons, actions deemed treacherous by the latter and resulting in severe reprisals.
Dr. Sophie Ambler provides further insight into the broader implications of Simon de Montfort's life and death. His attempts to restructure the English state ultimately led to the dismemberment of his own body. This event prompts a reflection on the first English revolution within a British framework rather than solely an English one. The final resting places of Simon de Montfort's body parts remain a mystery, leaving open the possibility that they may yet be discovered.
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Takeaways ( Reviewed by a human)
Simon de Montfort's Dismemberment
- Simon de Montfort, a 13th-century nobleman, was dismembered after his defeat at the Battle of Evesham in 1265.
- His head and testicl*s were sent to Maud Mortimer, wife of Roger Mortimer who dealt the lethal blow. His hands and feet were distributed as trophies across Britain.
The Gruesome Aftermath of Evesham
- A death squad of Anglo-Welsh Borderlands barons was responsible for killing and dismembering de Montfort.
- One hand was sent to the wife of a man in the death squad, one foot to Prince Llewellyn ap Griffith of Wales as a mark of enmity, and another foot was taken by one of de Montfort's men as veneration.
- Monks from Evesham Abbey kept another hand, highlighting the unusual act of dismemberment during that time.
Simon de Montfort: The First Leader of an English Political Movement
- De Montfort was the Earl of Leicester and sought to overthrow the monarchy, favoring a different system of government.
- He established himself as a leading nobleman, married King Henry III's sister Eleanor, and seized control of the government with other barons and bishops in 1258.
- In 1264, he won the Battle of Lewes, capturing King Henry III and his son Edward, which allowed him to set up a new constitution.
The Battle of Evesham and Its Significance
- De Montfort was trying to escape a coalition force when caught at Evesham on August 4, 1265.
- Outnumbered, he and his men fought and were nearly all killed; no quarter was given except for a few hostages.
- A death squad specifically targeted de Montfort for execution on the battlefield.
The Dark Trophies of Simon de Montfort
- The dismemberment of battlefield dead and taking body parts as trophies were unusual practices in medieval history.
- These acts occurred in regions like Wales and the Anglo-Welsh borderlands, where military culture encouraged such treatment of enemy dead.
- The treatment of de Montfort's remains reflects the socio-military culture of those responsible for his killing.
The Cult of Simon de Montfort and His Body Parts
- John Devesy, a Montfortian captive, rescued one of de Montfort's feet and took it to Northumberland, where it became a relic at Anak Abbey.
- A tract written at Melrose Abbey detailed the biographies of de Montfort's dismembered parts, showing their significance in local history and culture.
- The cult around de Montfort's relics led to veneration and reported miracles, although he was never officially canonized.
The Dark Trophy Economy and Political Context
- The dark trophy economy involved the circulation of enemy body parts as tokens of enmity or love, often explained by couriers to recipients.
- Simon de Montfort's policies, particularly his alliance with Llewellyn ap Griffith and concessions involving Welsh territories, made him detested by the Anglo-Welsh borderland barons.
- The dismemberment of de Montfort's body symbolized the political opposition to his regime and the existential threat he posed to the Anglo-Welsh barons.
The British Context of the First English Revolution
- Simon de Montfort's story is often seen within an English constitutional narrative but has broader implications for mainland Britain and Ireland.
- His alliance with Wales and the impact on different regions highlight the importance of considering the "First English Revolution" within a British context.
- The history and heritage of the Anglo-Scottish borders, including connections to Saint Bede and Saint Oswald, are integral to understanding this period.
The Fate of Simon de Montfort's Relics
- The last written record of any of de Montfort's body parts dates back to 1536 at Anak Abbey.
- There is no record of what happened to the relics after the dissolution of the monasteries, leaving open the possibility that they could still be discovered.
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