The date is January 1245. Henry has decided that when he dies he wants to be buried in Westminster Abbey so sends for his architect Henry de Reynes to talk through his plans.

Henry did indeed have an architect called Henry de Reynes and was prolific in his commission of new building in England. The key project of which was the rebuilding of Westminster Abbey.

He did spend £3,000 a year on these projects, most of which he couldn't afford. Clarendon was his favourite residence which no longer exists. He is responsible for a lot of the work that went on within the Windsor Castle complex as described. All the measurements and requirements are accurate. He would later regret having the defences at Kenilworth after he fell out with his Brother-in-Law.  He did have a menagerie at the Tower which included all the animals mentioned. He did have two Coronations. And his robes and crown were borrowed for the first one.

He did wash and feed the poor and set up mendicant houses for beggars. He also created the Domus Conversorum to convert people to Christianity. He did make the word Parliament official from the French 'to parler'.

He did ask for Edward the Confessor's tomb to be moved so that his tomb could go in his place. He did have a stone marked with the footprint of Jesus. The reference to Peter Poitevin relates to a joke he played on the poor chap by writing in official documents that Peter owed him for 28 casks of wine. Who said Kings don't have a good sense of humour?

If you want to find out more about Henry, check out the sources and places below:

The Plantagenets: The Kings Who Made England - Dan Jones

Penguin Monarchs Series: Henry III - Stephen Church

The English Monarchs Series: Henry III - David Carpenter

Henry III: The Son of Magna Carta - Matthew Lewis

Henry III: The Great King England Never Knew It Had - Darren Baker