Simon de Montfort, the founder of England’s Parliament, was the greatest knight and foremost military strategist of his time. Friend of Saint Louis, thorn in the side of the Plantagenets, he was chosen Viceroy by Prince Richard’s crusaders and the Christian lords of Palestine. He served as Senechal of France for King Louis’ heir, but rejected the Crown of England, championing instead the New Millennium of democracy preached by Dominican and Franciscan friars.
Was he also to father of King Edward I? It was the gossip of the time, and there is some persuasive evidence.
