BattlefieldsAnarchy — Siege of Corfe Castle 1139
Medieval

Anarchy — Siege of Corfe Castle 1139

1139
England
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Imperialist forces
Forces
Stephen royalist garrison
VS
Victor
Stephen royalist garrison
Forces
Imperialist forces besieging
Outcome
Castle resisted siege; held for royalists during the early Anarchy period
The Battle

History & Significance

Corfe Castle in Dorset was an important royal stronghold. During the early Anarchy, imperialist forces attempted to take or isolate it. King Stephen garrisoned royal castles throughout the southwest as the civil war spread. Corfe with its almost impregnable position was difficult to take by direct assault and was repeatedly besieged by both sides during the long civil war.

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