This is the famous parliament, as it is called, of Simon de Montfort, the first assembly of the sort to which representatives of the borough towns were called; and thus to some extent forms a landmark in English history. It was not made a precedent, and in fact it is not till thirty years after that the representatives of the towns begin regularly to sit in parliament; but it is nevertheless a very notable date. Nor was the assembly itself what would be called a full and free parliament, only those persons being summoned who were favorable to the new _regime_; but five earls and eighteen barons, and an overwhelming number of the lower clergy, knights, and burghers, who were of course supporters of Earl Simon. It met on January, 20, 1265, and did not effect much. Edward, however, was allowed to make terms for his liberation, and Simon secured for himself and his family the earldom of Chester, giving up to Edward, however, other estates by way of exchange. The liberation of Edward, who was released on the condition of surrendering his castles, staying for three years in England and keeping the peace, led immediately to the earl’s overthrow. Edward was to live under surveillance at Hereford--far too near the Mortimers and the Welsh border. This was carried out; Edward was liberated on March 10. [Sidenote: Impolicy of Earl Simon’s sons. ] Already, however, dissensions were springing up. Earl Simon’s sons, who did very little credit to his instructions, and on whom perhaps some of the blame may rest of which otherwise it is impossible to acquit their father, managed to offend the Earl of Gloucester. They challenged the Clares to a tournament at Dunstable. When they were ready and already angry and prepared to turn the festive meeting into a battle, it was suddenly stopped by the king or by Earl Simon, acting in his name. Gloucester and his kinsmen deemed themselves insulted, and immediately began to negotiate with the Mortimers; and, when hostilities were just beginning, Edward escaped from his honorable keeping at Hereford and joined the party. [Sidenote: Battle of Evesham. Death of Earl Simon. ]