An article by the Department of History’s Dr Sophie Thérèse Ambler is the cover feature and lead article in July’s BBC History Magazine.

The article examines the revolutionary period 1258-65, when a group of noblemen led by Simon de Montfort seized power from King Henry III of England and set up a radical regime to govern in his stead. It argues that the way in which Montfort presented himself as leader and the brutality of the conflict were influenced by the ideals and practice of holy war. The transformation of the Montfortian campaign into a crusade helped to collapse the mental and geographical boundaries that had governed the conduct of war in Europe for two and a half centuries.

The article draws on research set out in Dr Ambler’s new book, The Song of Simon de Montfort: England’s First Revolution and the Death of Chivalry, which was published by Picador in May.

BBC History Magazine is the UK’s bestselling history magazine, with a print circulation of 98,000.