BattlefieldsSiege of Oxford Castle (1142)
Medieval

Siege of Oxford Castle (1142)

1142
Oxfordshire, England
Also known as: Siege of Oxford 1142
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Oxfordshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Empress Matilda (escaped)
Forces
Matilda garrison: c.500–1,000.
VS
Victor
King Stephen
Forces
Stephen: c.5,000–8,000
Outcome
Castle starved into surrender; Matilda escaped across frozen Thames
The Battle

History & Significance

Stephen besieged Oxford Castle for three months, starving out the garrison. On the night of surrender, Empress Matilda escaped across the frozen Thames — dressed in a white cloak for camouflage in the snow — to Abingdon, then Wallingford. The audacious escape became legendary. It exemplifies the indecisive nature of The Anarchy — neither side could deliver a final blow.

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