Battle of Lincoln (1217)
Lincoln Castle and city, Lincolnshire, England
What happened
A royalist army under William Marshal, fighting for the young Henry III, fought the forces of Prince Louis of France under Thomas, Count of Perche, who were besieging Lincoln Castle, held by Nicola de la Haie. During the First Barons' War, the French prince Louis claimed the English throne. His forces were besieging Lincoln Castle, defended by its castellan, Nicola de la Haie. Marshal's army broke in through the castle and a gate wrongly thought to be blocked, the Count of Perche fell, and the rest of Louis's army fled.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the turning point of the First Barons' War. Louis soon gave up his claim to the English throne.
What came next
A French relief fleet was defeated at Dover, and in September 1217 the Treaty of Lambeth ended Louis's attempt. Henry III kept his throne.
Did you know?
Lincoln Castle today displays one of only four surviving copies of the original 1215 Magna Carta.
Timeline
- 1068Lincoln Castle is completed by William the Conqueror.
- 2 February 1141The First Battle of Lincoln is fought.
- 20 May 1217The royalists win the Second Battle of Lincoln.
- September 1217The Treaty of Lambeth ends Louis's claim.