BattlefieldsSiege of Gloucester Castle 1139
Medieval

Siege of Gloucester Castle 1139

1139
Gloucestershire, England
Also known as: Gloucester 1139 · Robert of Gloucester holds Gloucester 1139
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Gloucestershire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
King Stephen (siege abandoned)
Forces
Robert of Gloucester: garrison and city militia
VS
Victor
Robert of Gloucester (castle holds)
Forces
Stephen: royal forces
Outcome
Stephen could not take Gloucester; the city remained Robert of Gloucester base throughout the Anarchy
The Battle

History & Significance

Gloucester was the most important Angevin city in England, the power base of Robert of Gloucester who was Matilda half-brother and chief military supporter. Stephen besieged it without success in 1139. Its continued resistance anchored Matildine power in the west of England.

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