Henry III of England

Henry III (1 October 1207 — 16 November 1272), also known as Henry of Winchester and nicknamed the Pious, the Wise and later the Saint. was the King of England from 1216 until his death in 1272. He was considered one of England's best kings. His long and mostly-successful 56-year reign was the longest in mediaeval English history.

Henry III
Henry III - Illustration from Cassell's History of England
King of England (more...)
Reign	October 19, 1216 — November 16, 1272
Coronation	28 October 1216, Gloucester Cathedral 17 May 1220, Westminster Abbey
Predecessor	John
Successor	Edward I
Regent	William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke (1216–1219) Hubert de Burgh, 1st Earl of Kent (1219–1227)
Born	(1207-10-19)19 October 1207 Winchester Castle, Hampshire
Died	16 November 1272(1272-11-16) (aged 65) Palace of Westminster, London
Burial	Westminster Abbey
Spouse	Eleanor of Provence ​ (m. 1236)​
Issue	Edward IV, King of England Margaret, Queen of Scots Beatrice, Duchess of Brittany Edmund, Earl of Leicester and Lancaster
House	Plantagenet
Father	John of England
Mother	Isabella of Angoulême
Religion	Roman Catholicism

Saint Henry III of England
Saint, Defender of the Faith, Protector of the Weak, King
Venerated in	Catholic Church and Church of England
Canonized	26 February 1273, Rome by Pope Gregory X
Major shrine	Westminster Abbey, London
Feast	16 November
Patronage	England, Monarchy of the United Kingdom

Throughout his reign, England would experience peace, stability and prosperity. Henry was extremely helpful, pious, and religious. He helped the poor people in England. He upgraded Westminster Abbey and reisssued Magna Carta. However in 1258, Henry became unpopular, as the barons forced him to give up some of his power to them. In 1263, Simon de Montfort, a baron who was Henry's brother-in-law by he married one of Henry's sisters, defeated and imprisoned him and became the disputed ruler of the country. However, Henry, with the help of his son, Crown Prince Edward, managed to escape captivity, and Montfort was killed. Henry regained his powers from the barons, which made him popular again. However, in 1264, the barons rebelled against him and started the Second Barons' War. However, Henry defeated the barons again in 1267.

Henry continued to be helpful, pious and religious by continuing to help the poor. He continued to rebuild Westminster Abbey and to improve life and health care in England.

In early 1272, Henry's health started to decline, and in November of that year, he died at the age of 65. He was buried at Westminster Abbey.

Because Henry was such a religious person, he was canonized only two months after his death on 26 February 1273 by Pope Gregory X. Many historians view Henry as a weak but great king.