BattlefieldsAnarchy — Siege of Ludlow Castle 1138
Medieval

Anarchy — Siege of Ludlow Castle 1138

1138
England
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Forces
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
imperialist besiegers under Geoffrey Talbot
VS
Victor
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
Stephen relieving
Outcome
Stephen relieved the castle; Ludlow remained in royalist hands
The Battle

History & Significance

Ludlow Castle was one of the key Marcher strongholds contested during the Anarchy. In 1138 it was held by Joce de Dinan for King Stephen. Geoffery Talbot besieged it for Empress Matilda. Stephen came to relieve it and a notable incident occurred: Prince Henry, later Henry II, was trapped by a hook and chain during the fighting and had to be rescued. The castle remained royalist for much of the conflict.

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