I laid a wreath at a memorial event to Simon de Montfort in Abbey Park, Evesham on Saturday (6th August) to commemorate his death at the Battle of Evesham 751 years ago.
The Simon de Montfort Society organises the annual commemoration event. This year’s commemoration was slightly more low key than last year’s series of events to commemorate the milestone 750th anniversary of the battle which included a re-enactment and a visit by the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow MP. Thousands of people from across the country and even overseas attended last year’s event.
Simon de Montfort is regarded as one of the progenitors of parliamentary democracy due to his role in leading a rebellion against King Henry III and for calling parliaments that reduced the monarch’s authority and which included ordinary citizens from towns across England for the first time.
Also at the ceremony were: dozens of local residents; as well as the Mayor of Evesham, Fred Kaler and his consort; the chair of Wychavon District Council, Frances Smith; and Iris Pinkstone, the Chair of the Simon de Montfort Society.