There was the same steadiness of will and purpose in his patriotism.

The letters of Robert Grosseteste show how early Simon had learned to sympathize with the Bishop in his resistance to Rome, and at the crisis of the contest he offered him his own support and that of his associates.

But Robert passed away, and as the tide of misgovernment mounted higher and higher the Earl silently trained himself for the day of trial.

The fruit of his self-discipline was seen when the crisis came.

While other men wavered and faltered and fell away, the enthusiastic love of the people clung to the grave, stern soldier who "stood like a pillar," unshaken by promise or threat or fear of death, by the oath he had sworn.
[Sidenote: Matthew Paris] While Simon had been warring with Gascon rebels affairs in England had been going from bad to worse.