BattlefieldsYoung King Revolt — Battle of Fornham St Genevieve 1173
Medieval

Young King Revolt — Battle of Fornham St Genevieve 1173

1173
England
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Earl of Leicester with Flemish mercenaries
Forces
Earl of Leicester with 3,000 Flemish mercenaries
VS
Victor
Royal loyalists under Humphrey de Bohun
Forces
Royal loyalists under Humphrey de Bohun
Outcome
Royal loyalists victorious; Earl of Leicester captured; Flemish mercenaries routed and drowned in marsh
The Battle

History & Significance

The Earl of Leicester landed in Suffolk with a Flemish mercenary force and marched inland to join Hugh Bigod. Royal loyalist forces under Humphrey de Bohun and the Constable of England intercepted them near Fornham St Genevieve north of Bury St Edmunds. The Flemish infantry were routed, many drowned in the marshy ground. Leicester and his countess were captured. The victory was the decisive engagement of the English dimension of the revolt.

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