Henry III

Henry III was born in 1207 and died in 1272 due to an illness. During his reign he was known best for being knowledgeable and caring about the arts. However, it was suggested that he cared too much about foreign affairs, instead of being a true King of England. While this turned out to be good for the Westminster Cathedral as he brought in dozens of foreign architects to design and build the lavish new gothic cathedral, it brought Henry III a rebellion within England. The Barons' Rebellion, as it came to be called, was a war fought over the policies of the king, as the people believed he cared too little about the common people of England. They were also concerned about the idea that he was being threatened with excommunication from the Roman Catholic Church by the Pope. All of this culminated to make Henry III a controversial king.

Another aspect that made Henry III a controversial leader is the fact that he was part of one of the first cults in English history. The cult included Henry, his brother and Henry's two sons that were dedicated to make St. Edward the Confessor the main patron of England. The cult even had a ceremony once the shrine to St. Edward was completed in which the four men took the body of the former king and placed him in his new tomb. Henry III eventually found his final resting place near the shrine he gave much to build. Even though it was also looted in the reign of Henry VIII, Henry’s tomb is still there and Henry III has been forever laid to rest next to his hero, Edward the Confessor.