He at once resolved on resistance.

The French award had luckily reserved the rights of Englishmen to the liberties they had enjoyed before the Provisions of Oxford, and it was easy for Simon to prove that the arbitrary power it gave to the Crown was as contrary to the Charter as to the Provisions themselves.

London was the first to reject the decision; in March 1264 its citizens mustered at the call of the town-bell at Saint Paul's, seized the royal officials, and plundered the royal parks.

But an army had already mustered in great force at the king's summons, while Leicester found himself deserted by the bulk of the baronage.

Every day brought news of ill.