Battle of Lewes: De Montfort Captures the King, Parliament Is Born
Simon de Montfort's rebel army engaged King Henry III's royal forces at Lewes, opening the decisive battle of the Second Barons' War. De Montfort's victory and capture of the king led directly to England's first elected parliament in 1265, establishing the principle that monarchs must govern with the consent of representatives.
May 12, 1264
762 years ago
Key Figures & Places
What Else Happened on May 12
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Zhu Wen forces Emperor Ai to abdicate, shattering the Tang Dynasty's three-century grip on China and plunging the realm into the chaotic Five Dynasties period. …
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