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The January Parliament and how it defined Britain

Simon de Montfort called together knights and burgesses 750 years ago - creating the first Parliament of elected representatives

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An engraving of De Montfort, English statesman and soldier, quarrelling with Henry III
An engraving of De Montfort, English statesman and soldier, quarrelling with Henry III Credit: Photo: World History Archive / Alamy

The January Parliament, 750 years ago, was the first time elected representatives came together on behalf of their local communities. As such, it marked a defining moment in the evolution of British politics.

The gathering, on 20 January 1265, brought together knights and burgesses from all around the country, setting the foundations of the House of Parliament.

The politics leading up to the January Parliament were complex, but the key moment came eight months earlier when the French-born noble Simon de Montfort captured King Henry III at the Battle of Lewes. Henry’s heir – the future Edward I – was also captured.

As a counterpoint to Henry’s perceived misrule, de Montfort – who was the 6th Earl of Leicester – ordered each county to elect two knights, while each borough elected two burgesses and two aldermen. The resulting Parliament discussed a wide range of political issues.

However, in an ending that should keep every parliamentarian on their toes, De Montfort soon came to be seen as overbearing – seizing too much power and influence. He was killed in the Battle of Evesham in August 1265.

Henry III continued to summon Parliaments until his death in 1272.

As a result of de Montfort’s efforts, he was named as one of twelve Britons who shaped British history by the Conservative MP David Willetts. Mr Willetts identified a dozen "Great Britons" who were the greatest "institution-builders".

Saint Columba, 521-597 (Christianity in Britain)

Left Ireland in 563 and settled with the Gaels of Dál Riata, where Colomba was granted the island of Iona to found his monastery.

Alfred the Great, 849-899 (the Kingdom of England)

search for alfred the great remains

Negotiated a treaty with the Danes in 886 after twice beating them in battle. England was divided, with the north and the east (between the Thames and Tees) declared to be Danish territory - Danelaw. Established a code of laws and a reformed coinage.

Henry II, 1133-1189 (Common law)

His establishment of permanent professional courts at Westminster and in the counties changed forever the relationship of the King to Church, State and society.

Simon de Montfort, 1208-1265 (Parliament)

6th Earl of Leicester and principal leader of baronial opposition to Henry III, he forced the establishment of the first English parliament in 1265. Was defeated and killed at Battle of Evesham later that year.

James IV of Scotland, 1443-1513 (the Kingdom of Scotland)

Agreed a treaty of "perpetual peace" with England in 1502 and married Henry VII's daughter Margaret Tudor. When war broke out between England and France, he declared war on England. Hoping to take advantage of Henry's absence, he led an army southward, only to be killed at the Battle of Flodden Field in Sept 1513.

Thomas Gresham, 1519 -1579 (the stock market)

An English merchant and financier who worked for Edward VI and Elizabeth I. In 1565 Gresham made a proposal to the court of aldermen of London to build at his own expense a bourse or exchange – what became the Royal Exchange.

Oliver Cromwell, 1599 -1658 (the British Army)

The NPG uncovered similarities between its portaits of Arthur Hesilrige (by an unknown artist, left) and Oliver Cromwell (by Robert Walker, right)

A brilliant soldier, Cromwell rose from the ranks to lead his New Model Army to victory against the forces of Charles I. He became Lord Protector from Dec 16, 1653 until his death. Regarded by some as a regicidal dictator, by others as a hero of liberty.

Isaac Newton, 1643-1727 (the Royal Society)

Physicist, mathematician, astronomer, alchemist, regarded by many as the greatest figure in the history of science. His Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica (1687) showed how a universal force, gravity, applied to all objects in the universe. Elected president of the Royal Society in 1703.

Robert Clive, 1725-1774 (the British Empire)

Clive of India established the military supremacy of the East India Company in southern India and Bengal and is regarded at the key figure in the establishment of British India.

Sir Robert Peel, 1778-1850 (the police)

Conservative prime minister from 1834-5 and again from 1841-46. Founded the Metropolitan Police and repealed the Corn Laws, which enabled the growing working class to enjoy cheaper food.

Millicent Fawcett, 1847-1929 (universal suffrage)

suffragist and social reformer who founded Newnham College, Cambridge. She was a moderate campaigner, distancing herself from the militant and violent activities of the Pankhursts and the Women's Social and Political Union. Considered instrumental in women gaining the right to vote in 1918.

Nye Bevan, 1897-1960 (the National Health Service)

Appointed minister of health after the landslide Labour victory in the 1945 general election and introduced free diagnosis and treatment for all on 5 July, 1948.