BattlefieldsSecond Barons War — Kenilworth Water Siege Operations 1266
Medieval

Second Barons War — Kenilworth Water Siege Operations 1266

1266
England
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Forces
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
Kenilworth baronial garrison defending the mere
VS
Victor
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
Royal forces with overland-transported boats
Outcome
Water assault failed; castle only taken by the Dictum of Kenilworth terms after six months
The Battle

History & Significance

The siege of Kenilworth Castle in 1266 was complicated by its extensive water defences formed by the great mere surrounding most of the castle. Henry III's forces brought boats overland from the Avon to contest the water approaches. A naval flotilla attempted to breach the water defences. Baronial defenders responded with their own watercraft. This inland naval action was unprecedented in English siege warfare and ultimately failed to reduce the castle by water assault.

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