Battlefields›Siege of Oxford 1142
Medieval

Siege of Oxford 1142

1142
Oxfordshire, England
Also known as: Empress Matilda besieged at Oxford Castle
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Oxfordshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Empress Matilda
Forces
Matilda garrison: c.500–1,000.
VS
Victor
King Stephen
Forces
Stephen: c.5,000–8,000
Outcome
Matilda escapes across frozen Thames to reach Abingdon; castle surrenders
The Battle

History & Significance

Stephen besieged Matilda in Oxford Castle; her famous escape across the frozen Thames preserved her cause and prolonged the Anarchy.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Siege of Oxford 1142

Oxford Castle and earlier settlement remains
Scheduled monument · ~0.2 miles
Section of the Grandpont causeway
Scheduled monument · ~0.4 miles
Oxford city walls
Scheduled monument · ~0.4 miles
Rewley Abbey
Scheduled monument · ~0.5 miles
Osney Abbey (remains of)
Scheduled monument · ~0.6 miles
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Submission of Canterbury to William I 1066
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