BattlefieldsSiege of Ludlow Castle 1139
Medieval

Siege of Ludlow Castle 1139

1139
Shropshire, England
Also known as: Ludlow 1139 · Anarchy at Ludlow
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Shropshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Gervase Paganel garrison
Forces
Garrison: Gervase Paganel
VS
Victor
King Stephen
Forces
Stephen: royal army including Prince Henry of Scotland
Outcome
Ludlow fell to Stephen; notable for a grappling hook episode involving Prince Henry of Scotland
The Battle

History & Significance

The 1139 Siege of Ludlow included a famous incident in which Prince Henry of Scotland (later Henry II) was nearly captured when grappled from his horse by a hooked chain thrown from the walls. Stephen rescued him. The episode showed both the personal nature of medieval warfare and the diplomatic complexities of the Anarchy.

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