Battle of Winchester

The battles of Winchester or rout of Winchester was held the September 14th 1141. This event is one dark period an important episode of the Histoire of England: Anarchy.

Context

At the time of the battles of Lincoln, seven months earlier, the king Etienne of England was captured, then deposited and imprisoned with Bristol. The March 3rd 1141, Mathilde proclaims Domina Anglorum , “Lady of the English”. The April 8th, it is proclaimed Angliae Normanniaeque dominated “Lady of the English and Norman”, with the Concile of Winchester, by the bishop of Winchester, Henri of Blois, brother of Etienne. Although it controls the kingdom henceforth, it is not crowned yet.

In June, it leaves to London to be made crown queen. Entered the city the June 24th, its stay was short and surging there. Obliged to flee the city in catastrophe, it is folded up on Oxford.

The bishop of Winchester decides once again to change camp and joined the party of his brother, Etienne. Mathilde then decides to go to Winchester to force it to make him allegiance again. There but Henri of Blois withdrew himself from the city, and sees an opportunity for the party of his brother of taking again the advantage. The troops of mercenaries of Etienne, who did not withdraw themselves yet from the kingdom, allied to the militia of London move towards Winchester.

Unfolding

The men of the bishop take refuge in the castle of Wolvesey. The July 31st, the army of Mathilde occupies the city then and besieges the castle. The army of Etienne, carried out by Guillaume d' Ypres arrives and encircles the city. The situation is original, because an army, in the castle, is besieged by an army in the city which itself is besieged by an army outside the walls.

Three days later, Winchester is burnt. The vivres of the army of Mathilde are destroyed, the seat is not more bearable. September 14th, an attack of diversion is conducted by Robert de Gloucester, half-brother of Mathilde. The latter benefits from it to escape from the city and to avoid the capture. Its army finally decides to cut through a path through the doors of the city.

Whereas Emperesse takes refuge with Gloucester, his/her half-brother who fights to protect his escape is made prisoner with Stockbridge. The tycoons taking part in the seat must flee in all the directions in order to avoid the capture. Ranulf de Gernon, the count de Chester succeeds in joining its stronghold. Miles of Gloucester, the Count d' Hereford, must give up its weapons and débarasser of its armor. It arrives then at Gloucester “ tired, only, and with half nu ”.

Conclusion

The freedom of Robert de Gloucester to him will be returned in November 1141, after an exchange was arranged, Robert against Etienne. Robert, although being only one simple noble, bastard of surplus, is the heart and the captain of the troops of his sister. Mathilde thus grants an exchange without requiring counterpart.

Mathilde thus completely lost the advantage which it had conquered with the battles of Lincoln by its arrogance. The civil war can continue of more beautiful.

Certain legends report that Mathilde would be flees of the castle inside a lead coffin, but it is probably about a later addition.

Winchester will not draw any benefit from its assistance to the cause of Etienne. At the end of the battle, the city is put at bag by the militia of London, and of many prisoners are tortured and put at death.

See too

English Civil war (1135-1154)

Random links: