BattlefieldsKenilworth Siege — Mining and Counter-mining 1266
Medieval

Kenilworth Siege — Mining and Counter-mining 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 garrison counter-miners
VS
Victor
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
Royal mining engineers
Outcome
Mining operations inconclusive; castle fell through starvation and the Dictum of Kenilworth
The Battle

History & Significance

During the six-month siege of Kenilworth in 1266, Henry III s engineers attempted to undermine the castle walls by digging tunnels beneath the foundations while the garrison dug counter-mines to intercept and collapse the attackers tunnels. The castle s extensive water defences made close approach for mining very difficult. Both sides employed specialist military engineers in this underground warfare beneath the great castle.

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