In approximately 1229-30, Simon departed France for the shores of England. England at that time was under the rule of King Henry III, and Simon wished to press his claim to the king. De Montfort, soon established himself as a favourite of the king and two years after his arrival in England, King Henry recognised Simon's claim.
Not only did Simon get his earldom, he was also appointed as one of the king's top advisors and in 1238, he married Henry's sister, Eleanor. Simon and Eleanor went on to have four sons.
De Montfort continued his success and by 1240, he had won fame as an administrator and military commander. He distinguished himself on a crusade in Palestine under Richard, earl of Cornwall. De Montfort returned to France in 1242, were he joined Henry in the Gascon Campaigns of 1242-43.
By 1248, Gascony in France, was in turmoil. Feudal wars and rebellions raged against the English authority there. Simon's previously successful campaigns, led Henry to appoint him the governor of Gascony. Simon was given unlimited powers, in the hope that some kind of order could be restored to the region. De Montfort was successful to a certain extent and did mange to restore some kind of unstable order, but he used ruthless military force to attain it.
Although the Gascon barons were crushed, they were extremely unhappy with De Montfort's actions and they protested loudly to Henry about their treatment.
Henry recalled Simon to England where he held an inquiry into his actions. There was a bitter quarrel between the two and De Montfort lost his royal favour, however he still managed to retain his position as governor. Simon returned to Gascony to continue his campaign, but during this continuance, Simon received yet another royal order. He was to stop his campaign immediately and allow Henry's son Edward, to take Gascony in hand.
Simon once again left France behind for England and by 1258, Simon had become a member of the Baronial Opposition. This was a party of barons, led by Simon, who were unhappy at King Henry's rule, so they forced the king to turn over the power of government to a committee of fifteen.
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