BattlefieldsSiege of Nottingham Castle 1194
Medieval

Siege of Nottingham Castle 1194

1194
Nottinghamshire, England
Also known as: Richard I Retakes Nottingham from Prince John
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Nottinghamshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Prince John's garrison
Forces
Garrison: John loyalists who had defied John surrender order
VS
Victor
Royalists (Richard I)
Forces
Richard I: royal returning army
Outcome
Castle surrendered to Richard I on his return from crusade
The Battle

History & Significance

When Richard I returned from his captivity in Austria, Nottingham Castle was the last major stronghold held by supporters of his treacherous brother John. Richard himself directed the siege — and his unexpected appearance convinced the garrison that the king really had returned. The castle had been used by John as a base for his attempted usurpation. The Robin Hood legends place much of their action in and around Nottingham in this period. The siege marked the end of John's first attempt to seize the kingdom.

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