“Those who knew Simon praise his piety, admire his learning, and extol his prowess as a knight and skill as a general. They tell of his simple fare and plain russet dress, bearing witness to his kindly speech and firm friendship to all good men, describe his angry scorn for liars and unjust men, and marvel at his zeal for truth and right, which was such that neither pleasure nor threats nor promises could turn him aside from keeping the oath he swore at Oxford; for he held up the good cause ‘like a pillar that cannot be moved, and like a second Josiah esteemed righteousness the very healing of his soul.’ As a statesman he wished to bind the king to rule according to law, and to make the king’s ministers responsible to a full Parliament; and though he did not live to see the success of his policy, he had pointed out the way by which future statesmen might bring it about.” (F. York Powell.) The news of Simon’s death was received with general mourning as it spread over the land. He was acclaimed by the people as a saint and martyr, and miracles were said to be worked by his relics.[54] The Franciscan friars drew up a service in his honour--“consisting of lessons, responses, verses, hymns, and other matter appertaining to the honour and respect due to a martyr.”[55] But the pope who had excommunicated Simon was not likely to hear of canonization, and “as long as Edward lives the service compiled in Simon’s honour cannot gain acceptance to be chanted within the church of God, which was hoped for.”[56] The “Lament of Earl Simon,”[57] compared the mighty statesman with Thomas of Canterbury: For by his death Earl Simon hath In sooth the victory won, Like Canterbury’s martyr he There to the death was done. Thomas the good, that never would Let holy church be tried; Like him he fought, and flinching not, The good earl like him died. _Refrain:_ Now low there lies the flower of price That knew so much of war; The Earl Montfort, whose luckless sort, The land shall long deplore. Death did they face to keep in place Both righteousness and peace; Wherefore the saint from sin and taint Shall give their souls release. They faced the grave that they might save The people of this land; For so his will they did fulfill As we do understand. _Refrain._ Sir Simon now, that knight so true, With all his company, Are gone above to joy and love In life that cannot die; But may our Lord that died on rood And God send succour yet To them that lie in misery, Fast in hard prison set. _Refrain._