The January Parliament

On January 20th 1265, 750 years ago, for the first time in British history, elected representatives met in what became known as the January Parliament, held by Simon de Montfort. Even though parliaments already existed in England, it was the first time that representatives from counties and boroughs were present. According to the UK Parliament, were summoned "23 lay magnates, 120 bishops, two knights from each county and two citizens from each town. Also summoned were four men from each of the Cinque Ports."

The event that led to de Montfort's Parliament was a civil war between King Henry III and his barons. The barons were unsatisfied with Henry's government, constantly asking the barons for more money, but never doing any of the reforms they requested. In response, de Montfort led a revolt against the King, and in May 14th 1264, the rebels faced the King's army in the Battle of Lewes. The rebels won and captured Henry's son, Prince Edward. After this, de Montfort seized power and begun implementing his reforms.

However, de Montfort did not stay in power for long. Many people in England were not ready for reform, and they opposed him, including some barons. Edward managed to escape, and led his own royalist army against de Montfort. At the Battle of Evesham, on August 4th 1265, the royalists defeated and mutilated de Montfort, sending parts of his body to all parts of England as a message to all rebels. 

Henry regained his power, and reversed de Monfort's reforms, even though Edward would adopt a few of his reforms when he became King (Edward I) in 1272, including calling representatives from counties and towns to parliament. De Montfort is not considered to be the founder of the House of Commons, but he is credited with founding the English parliament. Undoubtedly, the January Parliament is a crucial moment in British parliamentary history.