Simon bade Henry take shelter with him and have no fear of the storm.

The king refused with petulant wit.

"If I fear the thunder, I fear you, Sir Earl, more than all the thunder in the world." But Simon had probably small faith in the cumbrous system of government which the Barons devised, and it was with reluctance that he was brought to swear to the Provisions of Oxford which embodied it.

With their home government he had little to do, for from the autumn of 1258 to that of 1259 he was chiefly busied in negotiation in France.

But already his breach with Gloucester and the bulk of his fellow councillors was marked.