BattlefieldsSiege of Hedingham Castle (Barons' War — 1216)
Medieval

Siege of Hedingham Castle (Barons' War — 1216)

1216
Essex, England
Also known as: Castle Hedingham 1216 · Essex castle First Barons War
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Essex, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Royalists (de Vere / John)
Forces
Royalist garrison: c. 100-150.
VS
Victor
French / barons (Louis of France)
Forces
French/baronial forces: c. 1,500-2,500
Outcome
Hedingham Castle surrendered or taken in course of First Barons' War
The Battle

History & Significance

Castle Hedingham — seat of the de Vere Earls of Oxford, one of the finest Norman keeps in England — was drawn into the First Barons' War as French forces and rebel barons moved through Essex. The castle's strategic position in the Colne valley made it significant. The civil war in Essex during 1216-17 saw numerous manor houses and castles change hands as local loyalties fluctuated.

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