The great household in wartime: Eleanor de Montfort and her familia

The middle of the thirteenth century was a momentous period in English political life, which saw Magna Carta become firmly embedded in English society and the development of parliament. King Henry III's brother-in-law, Simon de Montfort, earl of Leicester, emerged as a leading figure during the period of baronial reform and rebellion in England, and led the baronial forces to victory at Lewes on 14 May 1264. Between Lewes and Earl Simon's death at the battle of Evesham on 4 August 1265, he effectively controlled English royal government. This left Earl Simon's wife, Eleanor, pre-eminent in status among the women who remained in the realm. By offering a detailed analysis of the contents of Eleanor's surviving household roll for 1265 (BL, Additional MS 8877), this chapter examines the final stages of the conflict. It looks at how the Montforts' changed political circumstances after the Lord Edward (Henry III's son) escaped from their custody on 28 May and after Evesham affected Eleanor, the lives of those who supported or served her, and the functioning of her great household. In particular, it examines the impact of her flight from Odiham Castle to Dover Castle, and her residence at the latter fortress before she negotiated her departure into exile in October 1265.