Hello everyone and welcome to the History of England.

Episode 65, I was Henry III so unpopular.

Last week, Henry and Demontford were starting their troublesome relationship, and Henry's

last attempt to regain the lands of his fathers had ended in pain, defeat and despair.

Well, possibly something of an overstatement, but you know what I mean.

This week, I think we should look at why Henry's reign ends up in a rather remarkable revolution,

and revolution is the right word rather than rebellion.

But before we set off on that particular route, I thought it was time for a bit of a diversion

into the world of religion.

As the early 13th century saw the emergence of two new religious movements.

Let's start then with Giovanni di Benardoni.

That's my Italian accent, born at a CC in 1181 or two to a rich cloth merchant.

Now, I'm not a great fan of religious figures by and large, though there are some exceptions,

and Giovanni is one of them, and I'd guess I'm not alone.

In his salad days, green in judgment, cold in blood, he was nicknamed Francesco because

of his passion for French songs and romances.

He wore the most stylish clothing, he was the leader of the pack of the gilded youth.

But at the age of 25, things began to change for the lad.

He began to feel disillusioned at the life of a cloth merchant, which presumably drove his

poor father Pietro up the wall.

He began to nurse lepers and dated his own conversion from the time he felt compelled

to kiss a leper.

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