Battle of Evesham

Simon de Montfort is surrounded

The battle then became a rout. De Montfort's son Henry was killed, and then de Montfort himself was unhorsed, and killed, probably by a foot soldier. 

His body was savagely mutilated - indeed, the Royal troops seemed determined to avenge the earlier defeat at Lewes, and showed no mercy. 

They pursued and killed many of de Montfort's troops in the river, in the town, and even in the grounds of Evesham Abbey.

The King appeals for mercy

King Henry II himself was lucky to escape the massacre, especially as he'd been dressed in rebel colours – probably by Simon, thinking of a bit of post-mortem revenge if he lost the battle. Henry was saved from death by Robert de Leyburn, a former rebel.

No such luck for Simon de Montfort, who was beheaded, and had other parts of his anatomy cut off, and sent to various Lords around the country, presumably as a warning against future rebellions. His head was displayed on London Bridge until it rotted.

As an act of charity the clerks of Evesham Abbey gathered up what was left of his body and buried it under the altar.

Simon de Montfort memorial

The King felt considerably less charitable towards the man who'd held him captive, and ordered that de Montfort's body couldn't be buried on holy ground.

So he is buried under a tree in the grounds – where there is a small memorial to a man who almost changed the course of English history.