The Great Simon

About the Book

Simon de Montfort was a medieval leader of supreme ability and character. He came to England as a twenty-one-year-old who was recently knighted in France. He possessed a deed for an estate. Twenty-one-year-old king Henry accepted this title and befriended De Montfort. Soon he became his brother-in-law as he married Princess Eleanor. The issues of the thirteenth century were divine right of kings versus council participation. De Montfort, over time, became the leader of councils and tried to remain true to his feudal oath. These struggles occurred for over twenty-five years. Simon won it all, after a year and a half of being prime minister. He was killed in a foolish battle. This story is about the Great Charter, Magna Carta, and the eternal fight between the haves and the have-nots.

About the Author

D.A. Curtis is an honored combat infantry veteran of the European Theater during World War II. His assignment during the War was as a lead scout of an infantry company in all five Allied campaigns from Omaha Beach to the Danube River. At the age of eighteen, he did volunteer for the Special Mountain Division. His skiing expertise made him an excellent candidate for this assignment. He did receive the title of “Chevalier”, French Legion of Honor, and a Commendation presented to him for his acts of bravery from the King Harald of Norway in 2015 for his efforts during WWII. D.A. Curtis’ interest in English history began in High School and his wonderful exposure of England prior to the Invasion of Normandy in 1944 gave him a first hand knowledge of Great Britain and began his research in to the great Simon. While serving as helpers to the re-instituted Norwegian Government, he met and later married a Norwegian student after cross Atlantic correspondences. D.A. Curtis and Gerd Curtis raised two children and have two grandchildren. They are married over 60 years. The book “Great Simon” was written over many years.