Battle of Lincoln (1217)
Encyclopedia
The Second Battle of Lincoln occurred at Lincoln Castle
on 20 May 1217, during the First Barons' War
, between the forces of the future Louis VIII of France
and those of King Henry III of England
. Louis' forces were attacked by a relief force under the command of William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke
. The Comte de la Perche, commanding the French troops, was killed and this heavy defeat led to Louis being expelled from his base in the southeast of England. This event is known as “Lincoln Fair” after the looting that took place afterwards. The citizens were loyal to Louis so Henry’s forces sacked the city.
of the English succession
took a new turn when Prince Louis
of France
entered London
and was proclaimed King of England. He was supported by various English barons who resisted the rule of King John
. When John died in the middle of the war, his 8 year-old son Henry III was crowned.
Once John died, many barons were willing to change sides and fight for Henry against Prince Louis' claim. The regent
of Henry, a famous knight and excellent tournament fighter named William Marshal
, had the power of the king's command. Marshal ordered all nobles with a Castle
in England to a muster
in Newark
. Approximately 400 Knights, 250 crossbowmen, and a larger auxiliary force of both mounted and foot soldiers were assembled. From there they would march to break a long siege
by an army of Prince Louis at the city of Lincoln
.
near its centre, straddling a crossroads of two important Roman
-built highways: Ermine Street
and Fosse Way
. These trans-England routes were longtime staples of national trade and government. It was thus a strategic
location. There, 150 years earlier, William the Conqueror ordered the construction of Lincoln Castle
, built on a hilltop over an old Roman fort.
At the time of the battle in May 1217, the city of Lincoln had been taken by Louis' forces. However, the castle remained intact. Its garrison
—loyal to King Henry—continued to defend the important fortification from forces loyal to Prince Louis, led by the Count of Perche.
Marshal proceeded to the section of the city walls nearest the castle, at the north gate. The entire force of Marshal's crossbowmen led by the mercenery Falkes de Breauté
assaulted and won the gate. Perche's forces did not respond, but continued the castle siege.
The north gate was secured by Marshal's main force, while Breauté's crossbowmen took up high positions on the rooftops of houses. Volleys of bolts from this high ground caused rapid death, damage and confusion among Perche's forces. Then, in the final blow, Marshal
committed his knights and footsoldiers in a charge against Perche's siege. Perche was offered a surrender, but instead fought to the death as the siege collapsed into a scattered rout. Those of Louis' army who were not captured fled Lincoln out the south city gate, to London. The whole of the battle had taken about six hours.
The Battle of Lincoln (1217) ended the First Barons' War
. Many of Henry's enemies—barons who had supported Louis, and who helped supply, organize and command his military forces—were captured at Lincoln. The aftermath of that battlefield saw the removal of the French threat to the English crown. Prince Louis and his military had to abandon England, and returned across the English Channel
to France.
Lincoln Castle
Lincoln Castle is a major castle constructed in Lincoln, England during the late 11th century by William the Conqueror on the site of a pre-existing Roman fortress. The castle is unusual in that it has two mottes. It is only one of two such castles in the country, the other being at Lewes in Sussex...
on 20 May 1217, during the First Barons' War
First Barons' War
The First Barons' War was a civil war in the Kingdom of England, between a group of rebellious barons—led by Robert Fitzwalter and supported by a French army under the future Louis VIII of France—and King John of England...
, between the forces of the future Louis VIII of France
Louis VIII of France
Louis VIII the Lion reigned as King of France from 1223 to 1226. He was a member of the House of Capet. Louis VIII was born in Paris, France, the son of Philip II Augustus and Isabelle of Hainaut. He was also Count of Artois, inheriting the county from his mother, from 1190–1226...
and those of King Henry III of England
Henry III of England
Henry III was the son and successor of John as King of England, reigning for 56 years from 1216 until his death. His contemporaries knew him as Henry of Winchester. He was the first child king in England since the reign of Æthelred the Unready...
. Louis' forces were attacked by a relief force under the command of William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke
William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke
Sir William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke , also called William the Marshal , was an Anglo-Norman soldier and statesman. He was described as the "greatest knight that ever lived" by Stephen Langton...
. The Comte de la Perche, commanding the French troops, was killed and this heavy defeat led to Louis being expelled from his base in the southeast of England. This event is known as “Lincoln Fair” after the looting that took place afterwards. The citizens were loyal to Louis so Henry’s forces sacked the city.
Background
In 1216 the First Barons' WarFirst Barons' War
The First Barons' War was a civil war in the Kingdom of England, between a group of rebellious barons—led by Robert Fitzwalter and supported by a French army under the future Louis VIII of France—and King John of England...
of the English succession
Order of succession
An order of succession is a formula or algorithm that determines who inherits an office upon the death, resignation, or removal of its current occupant.-Monarchies and nobility:...
took a new turn when Prince Louis
Louis VIII of France
Louis VIII the Lion reigned as King of France from 1223 to 1226. He was a member of the House of Capet. Louis VIII was born in Paris, France, the son of Philip II Augustus and Isabelle of Hainaut. He was also Count of Artois, inheriting the county from his mother, from 1190–1226...
of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
entered London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and was proclaimed King of England. He was supported by various English barons who resisted the rule of King John
John of England
John , also known as John Lackland , was King of England from 6 April 1199 until his death...
. When John died in the middle of the war, his 8 year-old son Henry III was crowned.
Once John died, many barons were willing to change sides and fight for Henry against Prince Louis' claim. The regent
Regent
A regent, from the Latin regens "one who reigns", is a person selected to act as head of state because the ruler is a minor, not present, or debilitated. Currently there are only two ruling Regencies in the world, sovereign Liechtenstein and the Malaysian constitutive state of Terengganu...
of Henry, a famous knight and excellent tournament fighter named William Marshal
William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke
Sir William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke , also called William the Marshal , was an Anglo-Norman soldier and statesman. He was described as the "greatest knight that ever lived" by Stephen Langton...
, had the power of the king's command. Marshal ordered all nobles with a Castle
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
in England to a muster
Muster
Muster may refer to:* Muster , a process or event for the of accounting for members in a military unit* Muster , the rounding-up of livestock* Muster , a competitive skills event held between fire departments...
in Newark
Newark-on-Trent
Newark-on-Trent is a market town in Nottinghamshire in the East Midlands region of England. It stands on the River Trent, the A1 , and the East Coast Main Line railway. The origins of the town are possibly Roman as it lies on an important Roman road, the Fosse Way...
. Approximately 400 Knights, 250 crossbowmen, and a larger auxiliary force of both mounted and foot soldiers were assembled. From there they would march to break a long siege
Siege
A siege is a military blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by attrition or assault. The term derives from sedere, Latin for "to sit". Generally speaking, siege warfare is a form of constant, low intensity conflict characterized by one party holding a strong, static...
by an army of Prince Louis at the city of Lincoln
Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Lincoln is a cathedral city and county town of Lincolnshire, England.The non-metropolitan district of Lincoln has a population of 85,595; the 2001 census gave the entire area of Lincoln a population of 120,779....
.
Battlefield
Medieval Lincoln was an ancient walled city with a Norman CastleCastle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
near its centre, straddling a crossroads of two important Roman
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
-built highways: Ermine Street
Ermine Street
Ermine Street is the name of a major Roman road in England that ran from London to Lincoln and York . The Old English name was 'Earninga Straete' , named after a tribe called the Earningas, who inhabited a district later known as Armingford Hundred, around Arrington, Cambridgeshire and Royston,...
and Fosse Way
Fosse Way
The Fosse Way was a Roman road in England that linked Exeter in South West England to Lincoln in Lincolnshire, via Ilchester , Bath , Cirencester and Leicester .It joined Akeman Street and Ermin Way at Cirencester, crossed Watling Street at Venonis south...
. These trans-England routes were longtime staples of national trade and government. It was thus a strategic
Military strategy
Military strategy is a set of ideas implemented by military organizations to pursue desired strategic goals. Derived from the Greek strategos, strategy when it appeared in use during the 18th century, was seen in its narrow sense as the "art of the general", 'the art of arrangement' of troops...
location. There, 150 years earlier, William the Conqueror ordered the construction of Lincoln Castle
Lincoln Castle
Lincoln Castle is a major castle constructed in Lincoln, England during the late 11th century by William the Conqueror on the site of a pre-existing Roman fortress. The castle is unusual in that it has two mottes. It is only one of two such castles in the country, the other being at Lewes in Sussex...
, built on a hilltop over an old Roman fort.
At the time of the battle in May 1217, the city of Lincoln had been taken by Louis' forces. However, the castle remained intact. Its garrison
Garrison
Garrison is the collective term for a body of troops stationed in a particular location, originally to guard it, but now often simply using it as a home base....
—loyal to King Henry—continued to defend the important fortification from forces loyal to Prince Louis, led by the Count of Perche.
Battle
From the town of Stowe a few miles to the southwest of Lincoln, Marshal's forces made their approach. Though the advance was known to the Perche, his knights debated about intelligence on the strength of the enemy. Those who believed Marshal's force was relatively small in number favoured an offensive plan: a meeting in an open battlefield at the base of the hill, before Marshal could reach the city gates. Those who believed Marshal had a dangerously large force favored a more defensive plan: delay Marshal at the gates of the city wall, and at the same time press the siege, capture the castle, and occupy this much stronger position. The defensive plan was taken, though not without some continuing dissension.Marshal proceeded to the section of the city walls nearest the castle, at the north gate. The entire force of Marshal's crossbowmen led by the mercenery Falkes de Breauté
Falkes de Breauté
Sir Falkes de Breauté was an Anglo-Norman soldier who earned high office by loyally serving first King John and later King Henry III in First Barons' War. He played a key role in the Battle of Lincoln Fair in 1217. He attempted to rival Hubert de Burgh, and as a result fell from power in 1224...
assaulted and won the gate. Perche's forces did not respond, but continued the castle siege.
The north gate was secured by Marshal's main force, while Breauté's crossbowmen took up high positions on the rooftops of houses. Volleys of bolts from this high ground caused rapid death, damage and confusion among Perche's forces. Then, in the final blow, Marshal
William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke
Sir William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke , also called William the Marshal , was an Anglo-Norman soldier and statesman. He was described as the "greatest knight that ever lived" by Stephen Langton...
committed his knights and footsoldiers in a charge against Perche's siege. Perche was offered a surrender, but instead fought to the death as the siege collapsed into a scattered rout. Those of Louis' army who were not captured fled Lincoln out the south city gate, to London. The whole of the battle had taken about six hours.
Aftermath and effects
The city of Lincoln—on the pretense of being in league with Louis—was pillaged by the victorious army, in an event called the Lincoln Fair. To the south, inhabitants of towns between Lincoln and London ambushed and killed some French soldiers in the flight south to London.The Battle of Lincoln (1217) ended the First Barons' War
First Barons' War
The First Barons' War was a civil war in the Kingdom of England, between a group of rebellious barons—led by Robert Fitzwalter and supported by a French army under the future Louis VIII of France—and King John of England...
. Many of Henry's enemies—barons who had supported Louis, and who helped supply, organize and command his military forces—were captured at Lincoln. The aftermath of that battlefield saw the removal of the French threat to the English crown. Prince Louis and his military had to abandon England, and returned across the English Channel
English Channel
The English Channel , often referred to simply as the Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France, and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. It is about long and varies in width from at its widest to in the Strait of Dover...
to France.
See also
- Battle of Lincoln (1141)Battle of Lincoln (1141)The Battle of Lincoln or First Battle of Lincoln occurred on 2 February 1141. In it Stephen of England was captured, imprisoned and effectively deposed while Empress Matilda ruled for a short time.-Account:...
- Magna CartaMagna CartaMagna Carta is an English charter, originally issued in the year 1215 and reissued later in the 13th century in modified versions, which included the most direct challenges to the monarch's authority to date. The charter first passed into law in 1225...
- William MarshalWilliam Marshal, 1st Earl of PembrokeSir William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke , also called William the Marshal , was an Anglo-Norman soldier and statesman. He was described as the "greatest knight that ever lived" by Stephen Langton...
- First Barons' WarFirst Barons' WarThe First Barons' War was a civil war in the Kingdom of England, between a group of rebellious barons—led by Robert Fitzwalter and supported by a French army under the future Louis VIII of France—and King John of England...
- Lincoln CastleLincoln CastleLincoln Castle is a major castle constructed in Lincoln, England during the late 11th century by William the Conqueror on the site of a pre-existing Roman fortress. The castle is unusual in that it has two mottes. It is only one of two such castles in the country, the other being at Lewes in Sussex...
- Nicola de la HayeNicola de la HayeNicholaa de la Haye was the eldest daughter and co-heiress of Richard de la Haye , a Lincolnshire lord, and a descendant of the pre-Conquest Lord Colswain of Lincolnshire. Nicholaa's first husband was William fitz Erneis...