ft all matters of dispute
to be again referred to arbitration.(252) This treaty formed the basis of
a new system of government, and led to the institution of Simon de
Montfort's famous Parliament.

The short respite--for it proved to be no more--from civil war was welcomed
by the Londoners. The city had been drained of a large part of its
population in order to increase the Earl of Leicester's army, and business
had been seriously disturbed. For the past year no Court of Husting had
been held, and therefore no wills or testaments had received probate;
whilst all pleas of land, except trespass, had to stand over until the
country became more settled.(253)

(M158)

The parliament which Leicester summoned to meet on the 20th January, 1265,
marked a new era in parliamentary representation. It was the first
parliament in which the merchant and the trader were invited to take their
seats beside the baron and bishop. Not only were the shires to send up two
representatives, but each borough and town were to be similarly
privileged.(254)

Terms of reconciliation between king and barons were arranged, and once
more the mayor and aldermen did fealty to Henry in person in St. Paul's
church. Fitz-Thomas, who for the fourth time was mayor, was determined to
lose nothing of his character for independence; "My lord," said he, when
taking the oath, so long as you are willing to be to us a good king and
lord, we will be to you faithful and true."(255)

(M159)

Peace was not destined to last long. Dissensions quickly broke out between
Gilbert, Earl of Gloucester, and Simon de Montfort, owing in a great
measure to jealousy. Gloucester insisted that the Mise of Lewes and the
Provisions of Oxford had not been properly observed, hinting unmistakably
at the foreign birth and extraction of his rival. Endeavours were made to
arrange matters by arbitration, but in vain; and by Whitsuntide the two
earls were in open hostility. Gloucester was joined by Edward, who had
succeeded by a ruse in escaping from Hereford, where he was detained in
honourable captivity.(256)

(M160)

With their combined forces they fell on Earl Simon at Evesham and utterly
defeated him (4 Aug.). Simon himself was killed, and his body barbarously
mutilated.(257) The king, who was in the earl's camp, only saved himself
by crying out in time "I am Henry of Winchester, your king." Whilst the
battle was raging the city was visited with a terrible thunderstorm--an
evil