BattlefieldsSiege of Exeter Castle 1136
Medieval

Siege of Exeter Castle 1136

1136
Devon, England
Also known as: Exeter 1136 · Baldwin de Redvers at Exeter
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Devon, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Baldwin de Redvers
Forces
Baldwin de Redvers: garrison including his family
VS
Victor
King Stephen
Forces
Stephen: royal army
Outcome
Exeter Castle surrendered after three months when the water supply failed; Baldwin de Redvers went into exile and later supported Matilda
The Battle

History & Significance

The Siege of Exeter in 1136 was the first major castle siege of the Anarchy. Baldwin de Redvers held out for three months against Stephen but was eventually forced out when the castle well ran dry. His subsequent exile and defection to Matilda began a chain of events that would draw Empress Matilda herself to England.

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