BattlefieldsSiege of Rochester Castle 1215
Medieval

Siege of Rochester Castle 1215

1215
Kent, England
Also known as: Rochester 1215 · King John besieges Rochester 1215
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Kent, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Baronial garrison under William de Albini
Forces
Garrison: William de Albini with c.100 knights and sergeants
VS
Victor
King John
Forces
John: royal army with professional mining engineers
Outcome
John mined the southeast tower and collapsed it with burning pig fat; garrison retreated to the keep then surrendered; John wanted to hang them but was dissuaded
The Battle

History & Significance

One of the most technically sophisticated sieges in English history. John besieged Rochester immediately after Magna Carta was repudiated. His engineers mined the corner tower and used the fat of forty pigs as fuel to collapse it. The garrison retreated to the keep behind the cross-wall, creating one of the earliest documented examples of a keep as a last redoubt within a fallen outer ward.

Casualties & Losses

Garrison surrendered; John wished to execute them but was persuaded not to by mercenary commanders

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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