The father of English democracy

Simon de Monfort's statue rests on the Clock Tower in the centre of Leicester

Nowadays the name De Montfort is most likely to be associated with the music venue or university.

The man behind the name is Simon de Montfort, who was the Earl of Leicester in the 13th Century.

His statue is passed by countless thousands every day as he stands on the city's Clock Tower.

However, many local residents are unaware of his revolutionary ideas of government and his darker actions towards the Jewish community.

Father of democracy

In his role as Earl of Leicester, Simon de Montfort kept the city land in order for the King at a time when most of the ruling families were French.

He is perhaps most notable for trying to establish an English system of parliament as a reaction against Henry III, who he felt was an inadequate monarch.

He called together all the various knights of the shires together in an attempt to create his idea.

Leicester Tower is a monument to de Montfort near Evesham

Historian Richard Gill says: "On this ground he is counted as the father of English democracy".

Eventually Henry III felt that de Montfort had overstepped the mark, resulting in the Battle of Evesham being fought in 1265 at which the earl was defeated and killed.

Richard believes that one of the main reasons that the people of Leicester do not widely know about Simon de Montfort is because the 13th Century is a neglected period in history lessons at schools.

Despite his clear links to the city there is no evidence that Simon ever actually visited Leicester.

What's in a name?

De Montfort University's David Alder said: "As a university one of the key things we've always had is a strong link to the city, we're very linked with Leicester, so it's very appropriate obviously that we have a name that reflects one of Leicester's best known historical characters.

"And so Simon de Montfort, who's credited with starting democracy in this country is a very good link to have."

You learn from your history what you'll be doing in the future and I think if we forgot our history we do that at our peril David Alder, De Montfort University

Simon de Montfort is not a completely angelic or heroic figure of the past. Among his more shady actions he expelled Jews from Leicester.

"I think we need to see that in historic context. I think anyone in their right mind in this day and age would realise that's an appalling thing.

"I think at the time things were very, very different and so I think it's far better to remember him for the very positive things he did."

David thinks it unlikely that anyone comes to the university purely based on the connotations of its title, but he believes that in retrospect many students may appreciate the historical links.

"You learn from your history what you'll be doing in the future and I think if we forgot our history we do that at our peril."