Siege of Kenilworth
Encyclopedia
The Siege of Kenilworth (June-December 1266) was a six-month siege on the Kenilworth Castle
and a battle of the Second Barons' War
. The siege was a part of an English
civil war fought from 1264 to 1267 by the forces of Simon de Montfort
against the Royalist forces led by Prince Edward (later Edward I of England).
The siege was one of few castle attacks during the war.
had defeated the forces of Simon de Montfort at the Battle of Evesham
in August 1265. De Montfort was killed during the engagement, and his son (also named Simon) agreed to surrender that December at Northampton. De Montfort agreed to surrender Kenilworth, the refuge of the Baron loyalists, and letters were sent to the garrison at Kenilworth inviting their surrender. However, the forces at Kenilworth rejected these terms, first in December 1265, and again in March of 1266, the second time by removing the hand of the King's envoy.
The castle was a formidable structure due to its heavy defenses.
The most notable defense was a dam to the south of the castle, across which a causeway led from the entrance to the bailey and keep. Behind the dam was an artificial lake along the south and west sides of the castle, protecting it from a land approach. Ditches along the north side and a second pool on the east side of the causeway extended the water protection to surround the castle.
The attack on Kenilworth Castle began on 21 June. It was the largest siege to ever occur in England..
The royal forces tried all manners of devices. Numerous stone-throwing devices, presumably trebuchet
s, were brought to the siege, as well as "turres ligneas", or wooden towers. An "ursus" or "bear" was built, with separate compartments for archers.
Barges were sent from Chester to attempt an attack via the lake; this did not work. Time, however, was the only weapon left at their disposal, and the patient waiting finally paid off; with the garrison running out of food and suffering from disease, they finally surrendered on 13 December 1266. and accepted the terms of the Dictum of Kenilworth
.
Kenilworth Castle
Kenilworth Castle is located in the town of the same name in Warwickshire, England. Constructed from Norman through to Tudor times, the castle has been described by architectural historian Anthony Emery as "the finest surviving example of a semi-royal palace of the later middle ages, significant...
and a battle of the Second Barons' War
Second Barons' War
The Second Barons' War was a civil war in England between the forces of a number of barons led by Simon de Montfort, against the Royalist forces led by Prince Edward , in the name of Henry III.-Causes:...
. The siege was a part of an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
civil war fought from 1264 to 1267 by the forces of Simon de Montfort
Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester
Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester, 1st Earl of Chester , sometimes referred to as Simon V de Montfort to distinguish him from other Simon de Montforts, was an Anglo-Norman nobleman. He led the barons' rebellion against King Henry III of England during the Second Barons' War of 1263-4, and...
against the Royalist forces led by Prince Edward (later Edward I of England).
The siege was one of few castle attacks during the war.
Background
The forces of King Henry IIIHenry III of England
Henry III was the son and successor of John as King of England, reigning for 56 years from 1216 until his death. His contemporaries knew him as Henry of Winchester. He was the first child king in England since the reign of Æthelred the Unready...
had defeated the forces of Simon de Montfort at the Battle of Evesham
Battle of Evesham
The Battle of Evesham was one of the two main battles of 13th century England's Second Barons' War. It marked the defeat of Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, and the rebellious barons by Prince Edward – later King Edward I – who led the forces of his father, King Henry III...
in August 1265. De Montfort was killed during the engagement, and his son (also named Simon) agreed to surrender that December at Northampton. De Montfort agreed to surrender Kenilworth, the refuge of the Baron loyalists, and letters were sent to the garrison at Kenilworth inviting their surrender. However, the forces at Kenilworth rejected these terms, first in December 1265, and again in March of 1266, the second time by removing the hand of the King's envoy.
Castle defenses
The Castle of Kenilworth's structure was unique and contributed to the longevity of the siege.The castle was a formidable structure due to its heavy defenses.
The most notable defense was a dam to the south of the castle, across which a causeway led from the entrance to the bailey and keep. Behind the dam was an artificial lake along the south and west sides of the castle, protecting it from a land approach. Ditches along the north side and a second pool on the east side of the causeway extended the water protection to surround the castle.
Siege
The feudal summons for the siege was pushed back from December of 1265, finally occurring on 24 May the next year. From that point on, the siege occurred in earnest. The castle’s garrison was large, over a thousand, usually estimated at twelve hundred men, and active in defending themselves. Outside of the castle was the feudal host of England as summoned by Henry III, along with his elder son, the Lord Edward, and Edmund, who had been attempting to contain the garrison since the prior autumn.The attack on Kenilworth Castle began on 21 June. It was the largest siege to ever occur in England..
The royal forces tried all manners of devices. Numerous stone-throwing devices, presumably trebuchet
Trebuchet
A trebuchet is a siege engine that was employed in the Middle Ages. It is sometimes called a "counterweight trebuchet" or "counterpoise trebuchet" in order to distinguish it from an earlier weapon that has come to be called the "traction trebuchet", the original version with pulling men instead of...
s, were brought to the siege, as well as "turres ligneas", or wooden towers. An "ursus" or "bear" was built, with separate compartments for archers.
Barges were sent from Chester to attempt an attack via the lake; this did not work. Time, however, was the only weapon left at their disposal, and the patient waiting finally paid off; with the garrison running out of food and suffering from disease, they finally surrendered on 13 December 1266. and accepted the terms of the Dictum of Kenilworth
Dictum of Kenilworth
The Dictum of Kenilworth, issued 31 October 1266, was a pronouncement designed to reconcile the rebels of the Barons' War with the royal government of England. After the baronial victory at the Battle of Lewes in 1264, Simon de Montfort took control of royal government, but at the Battle of Evesham...
.