A decisive royalist victory that ended French military dominance in England and secured Henry III's reign during the First Barons' War.
Key Facts
- Date
- 20 May 1217
- Location
- Lincoln Castle, Lincoln, England
- Conflict
- First Barons' War
- French commander killed
- Thomas, Count of Perche
- Royalist commander
- William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke
- Aftermath
- Looting known as the 'Lincoln Fair'
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
During the First Barons' War, Louis of France had established a strong military presence in England, supported by rebel barons and the citizens of Lincoln. Henry III's forces needed to relieve the siege of Lincoln Castle, which was held by royalist defenders against Louis's occupying garrison.
On 20 May 1217, a royalist relief force commanded by William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, attacked Louis's forces at Lincoln Castle. The French commander Thomas, Count of Perche, was killed during the fighting. The battle ended in a decisive royalist victory, with Henry III's forces subsequently sacking the city of Lincoln, whose citizens had sided with Louis.
The defeat shattered French military power in England and forced Louis to abandon his claim to the English throne, effectively ending the First Barons' War. Louis was expelled from his base in the southeast of England, and the extensive looting that followed the battle was mockingly called the 'Lincoln Fair.'
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke.
Side B
1 belligerent
Thomas, Count of Perche.