Battlefields›Siege of Malmesbury Castle 1144
Medieval

Siege of Malmesbury Castle 1144

1144
Wiltshire, England
Also known as: Malmesbury 1144 · Anarchy at Malmesbury
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Wiltshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
King Stephen garrison
Forces
Stephen garrison: c.400–800.
VS
Victor
Robert of Gloucester
Forces
Robert of Gloucester: c.2,000–3,500
Outcome
Robert of Gloucester retook Malmesbury; further contest over this Wiltshire town
The Battle

History & Significance

Malmesbury changed hands several times during the Anarchy. Its position in Wiltshire made it a key point in the contest between the Bristol base of Robert of Gloucester and Stephen control of the Thames valley. The Abbey of Malmesbury sat in the middle of the conflict between the two sides.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Siege of Malmesbury Castle 1144

Benedictine monastery known as Malmesbury Abbey
Scheduled monument · ~0 miles
Market cross
Scheduled monument · ~0.1 miles
St Paul's Church tower and site of church
Scheduled monument · ~0.1 miles
Town defences
Scheduled monument · ~0.1 miles
Ringwork on Cam's Hill, 500m north east of Lawn Farm
Scheduled monument · ~1.1 miles
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