The Battle of Evesham


The grave of Sir Simon de Montfort*
The grave of Sir Simon de Montfort

It would be hard to find a more charming riverside town than Evesham; lots of modern shops for convenience, a plethora of half-timbered buildings for romance, the placid river dotted with swans and boats, there's even a ruined abbey to complete the romantic picture.

Seven hundred years ago, however, the scene was very different, as a crowd of weary soldiers and their worried leaders swarmed into the town. Surprisingly, the townsfolk were glad to see them and welcomed them warmly, for their leader was Sir Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester and soon to be known as St Simon, the people's hero.

Alas, when it came time to leave the following morning, a watcher on the abbey bell tower spied the tell-tale twinkle of the sun on burnished steel as a vengeful Prince Edward rode to rescue his father from Earl Simon's hands. The two armies met on a gentle slope just to the north of the town.