Henry III and Simon De Montfort die at the Battle of Lewes.

Been doing a bit of reading about the Second Barons War, fought between 1264 and 1267, and a thought came to me. At the Battle of Lewes in 1264, Edward I went off on a mad one chasing rebels for four miles leaving his father somewhat unsupported. Eventually, Edward returned, but due most of the royal forces having abandoned ship, was convinced to surrender alongside his father. Now, what I'm wondering is this: say Edward still goes off on his mad one, but when he returns he learns that not only is his father dead, having died from an arrow wound or a sword to the throat, but so too is Simon De Montfort, the leader of the rebellion against the crown.

With the leaders of the two opposing sides dead, what does Edward do? Does he push on, do the barons push on, is there some sort of negotiated settlement? Does Parliament still meet in 1265? What happens?
 
Does this mean that the barons revolt stops, or does it keep going through to the next generation through Edward I and Simon/ Henry junior?
 
What's the outcome of the battle? Because a situation where the royalist force has been completely is radically different from one where the battle has ground to a halt and both sides are standing around twiddling their thumbs whilst they try to figure out what to do.

Killing the king in battle will be a very bad look for the rebels, possibly some of the less dedicated ones are shaken and willing to negotiate something.

It also depends on how bloodthirsty Edward's feeling, if he's too vengeful then he might throw away any chance at reconciliation. His uncle Richard of Cornwall is around, assuming he hasn't been captured ITTL, and might offer some advice one way or another.

The younger Montforts aren't ones to forgive and forget either- see Simon the Younger and Guy's murder of Henry of Almain- though I'm not sure either of them were at Lewes.

The rebels could be fracturing- Henry de Montfort likely doesn't command the respect or loyalty his father did. Do we know anything about the personality/capability of Henry? All I've got is that he died at Evesham. And Gilbert de Clare obviously flipped in Henry/Edward's favour for Evesham IOTL anyway.
 
I imagine that once it's apparent that both the king and Simon are dead things will ground to a halt. People likely are quite shocked and when Edward learns he could be very very angry.

I do have a sneaking suspicion that he might want revenge instead of a settlement though his uncle cle might talk him down from that for a time.

Henry de Montfort seems a capable commander given he was given command over forces before lewes, if things fall apart again could he raise men?

I imagine some sort of settlement might be temporarily reached before failing down to war.
 
Seeing the fighting stop momentarily, only for it to pick up again due to the differences between Montfort junior and Edward would be good, though seeing the underlying tensions if there is a lasting peace settlement is alos interesting. One does have to wonder what to do about the inheritance of the barons who rebelled.
 
The Barons War will continue. Edward at times opposed his father and supported Montfort, but when it came down to it, he was interested primarily in bringing power back to the crown - so long as it was his crown. In addition, this is a young Edward, who was far less pragmatic than his older self. Lewes is going to be just as bloody - and the peace will be worse for Montfortians, as they are now guilty of regicide.
 
The Barons War will continue. Edward at times opposed his father and supported Montfort, but when it came down to it, he was interested primarily in bringing power back to the crown - so long as it was his crown. In addition, this is a young Edward, who was far less pragmatic than his older self. Lewes is going to be just as bloody - and the peace will be worse for Montfortians, as they are now guilty of regicide.
Interesting so no mediated peace for the time being? Does Edward just go straight to war then?
 
Well, it could go a few ways. I don't know enough about Gilbert de Clare to say if he would attempt immediate surrender. He only left the rebellion due to disagreements with Montfort, and proved instrumental in defeating the rebels thereafter. If Montfort dies, the leadership of the rebels would be in flux - the line of succession in that case is not clear. The Prince, being both present and having clear succession, would likely take the initiative to continue the battle. Even OTL, he had half a mind to.

So if Edward rallies, he will likely route what is left of the rebel forces. Those barons and earls who can retreat in good order will. Edward at this point is in dire straights both politically and financially, so he will need a peace, but will also need to show strength. De Clare will not be allowed back into the fold as easily as he was OTL, if at all. If de Clare is killed/executed/exiled, then we have a very different war in Wales, assuming the rebellions there crop up much as they did (although they may not, if England is more united).
 
Interesrinf so likely fighting at lewes continues, but afterward Edward calls for a peace. Would he call the first parliament then?
 
Would de Clare ever try to negotiate with Edward? Or would he simply expect himself to be executed?

As for baron leadership is Henry de Montfort de facto or will they fight amongst themselves
 
Top