BattlefieldsSiege of Dover Castle 1216
Medieval

Siege of Dover Castle 1216

1216–1217
Kent, England
Also known as: Dover 1216 · Louis of France besieges Dover 1216-1217
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Kent, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Louis of France (siege fails)
Forces
Besiegers: Louis of France with full army
VS
Victor
Royalists (castle holds)
Forces
Garrison: Hubert de Burgh with c.140 knights
Outcome
Dover Castle held throughout the invasion; Hubert de Burgh successfully defended it against repeated assaults including mining; the failure denied Louis control of the Channel crossing
The Battle

History & Significance

The most strategically critical siege of the First Barons War. Hubert de Burgh held Dover Castle — the key to England — against Louis of France from 1216-1217. Louis mined the northern tower, partially collapsing it, but de Burgh filled the breach. Without Dover, Louis could not secure his supply line across the Channel. The castle held until the Battle of Sandwich in August 1217 ended the war.

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