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 medival English history.
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 re-isssued Magna Carta. However in 1258, Henry became unpopular as the barons forced him to give up some of his power to them. In 1263, a baron who was Henry's brother-in-law (as he married one of Henry's sisters), Simeon de Montfort, defeated, imprisoned him, and became the disputed ruler of the country. However, with the help of his son, Crown Prince Edward, Henry managed to escape captivity and killed de Montfort. Henry regained his powers from the barons. This made Henry popular again. However, in 1264, the barons rebelled against him starting the Second Barons' War. However, Henry defeated the barons in 1267.
Henry continued to be helpful, pious, and religious by continuing to help the poor people. He continued to rebuild Westminster Abbey and continued to improve life and health care in England. The people of England would once again experience peace, stability, and prosperity. In early 1272, Henry's health started to decline, and on November of the same year, he died at the age of 65 and was buried at Westminster Abbey. Because Henry was a religious person, he was canonized two months after his death on 26 February 1273 by Pope Gregory X. Many historians view Henry as a weak but great king.
