Montfort III, Simon de
Montfort III, Simon de (c.1170–1218). Simon is best known as the ruthless leader of the notorious Albigensian Crusade against the Cathar heretics of southern France. He first participated in the crusade in 1209, and this venture remained the centre-piece of his career thereafter. As with other participants, Simon's motives are often considered to have been entirely cynical, but it should be remembered that he had previously gone on the equally notorious Fourth Crusade in 1202, significantly withdrawing from the army and going to the Holy Land when it became apparent that the crusade was being diverted from its intended goal, something which suggests genuine piety and a conscience. His significance for English history lies in his claim to the earldom of Leicester through his mother. King John initially accepted the claim but in 1207 seized all his English estates, only committing them through the earl of Chester for Simon's use in 1215. His son, the more famous Simon IV, duly recovered them from Henry III.
S. D. Lloyd
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Montfort III, Simon de