BattlefieldsFirst Barons' War — Siege of Bedford Castle
Medieval

First Barons' War — Siege of Bedford Castle

1224
Bedfordshire, England
Also known as: Bedford Castle siege 1224
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Bedfordshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Falkes de Bréauté
Forces
garrison c.200–400.
VS
Victor
Royalists (Hubert de Burgh / Henry III)
Forces
Royalist siege force c.3,000–5,000
Outcome
Castle taken after eight weeks; garrison hanged; de Bréauté exiled
The Battle

History & Significance

A decisive post-First Barons' War assertion of royal authority. Falkes de Bréauté had been one of John's most loyal mercenary captains but had overstayed his welcome under Henry III. When his men kidnapped a royal judge, Henry III besieged his castle personally. The entire garrison was hanged — eighty men. The fall of Bedford asserted that even the most powerful of John's mercenaries was subject to royal law.

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