But the king was now wholly with his enemies; and his anger broke out in a violent altercation.

The Earl offered to resign his post if the money he had spent was repaid him, and appealed to Henry's word.

Henry hotly retorted that he was bound by no promise to a false traitor.

Simon at once gave Henry the lie; "and but that thou bearest the name of king it had been a bad hour for thee when thou utteredst such a word!" A formal reconciliation was brought about, and the Earl once more returned to Gascony, but before winter had come he was forced to withdraw to France.

The greatness of his reputation was shown in an offer which its nobles made him of the regency of their realm during the absence of King Lewis from the land.