A definite plan of reform disclosed his hand.

The confirmation of the Charter was to be followed by the election of Justiciar, Chancellor, Treasurer, in the Great Council.

Nor was this restoration of a responsible ministry enough; a perpetual Council was to attend the king and devise further reforms.

The plan broke against Henry's resistance and a Papal prohibition; but from this time the Earl took his stand in the front rank of the patriot leaders.

The struggle of the following years was chiefly with the exactions of the Papacy, and Simon was one of the first to sign the protest which the Parliament in 1246 addressed to the court of Rome.