Siege of Winchester

Background

Captured at the Battle of Lincoln, King Stephen was imprisoned by Empress Matilda in Bristol Castle. This gave her effective control of England and led to her recognition as "Lady of the English," though she was never fully crowned Queen.

Although Matilda attempted to be crowned in London, she met with opposition, forcing her to retreat on June 24th, 1141.

Henry of Blois, Bishop of Winchester and Stephen's brother, initially supported Matilda but switched his loyalty to Stephen.

Battle

Bishop Henry led a force to Winchester and besieged Winchester Castle, held by Matilda's supporters.

Hearing of the siege, Matilda gathered forces at Oxford in late July and marched to Winchester. Arriving on July 31st, she surprised Henry, who fled. His besieging soldiers took refuge in Wolvesey Castle, across town.

Matilda set up headquarters in Winchester Castle, while her forces besieged Wolvesey Castle, where Bishop Henry's mercenaries had taken refuge. Robert FitzRoy commanded her forces outside Wolvesey, near Winchester Cathedral.

King Stephen's wife, Queen Matilda, learned of the siege and gathered her own army, which included feudal levies from Boulogne, nearly 1,000 London militia, Flemish cavalry under William of Ypres, and other Stephen supporters.

The Queen's army camped east of Winchester and blockaded Matilda's forces besieging Wolvesey Castle, aiming to relieve it and end the siege. This double siege led to fires destroying parts of the city.

The Queen's troops were well supplied, while Robert FitzRoy's men suffered food shortages as their supplies dwindled.

FitzRoy tried to fortify Wherwell Abbey to break the blockade, but William of Ypres's forces defeated him. FitzRoy then decided to abandon the siege and withdraw Empress Matilda from Winchester.

On September 14th, 1141, Reginald de Dunstanville led the advance guard escorting Matilda west toward Salisbury, while the main army protected the baggage, and FitzRoy commanded the rearguard.

The retreat became a rout. After leaving the city, Queen Matilda's forces attacked them, broke through the rearguard, and crushed the main body. During the chaos, many knights were unhorsed or scattered. Meanwhile, Empress Matilda and the advance guard escaped to Gloucester. FitzRoy's rearguard held until reaching the River Test, where, surrounded by the Queen's forces led by William of Ypres, FitzRoy surrendered.

Aftermath

Queen Matilda captured Robert FitzRoy and offered to exchange him for King Stephen, but Empress Matilda refused. The Empress instead offered earls and gold for FitzRoy, but not Stephen.

Acting behind Empress Matilda's back, Queen Matilda contacted FitzRoy's wife, Amabel, who had custody of Stephen, and exchanged Stephen for FitzRoy.

Stephen's release meant the battle for the crown continued, and the people suffered under the oppression of local barons. It was said, "God and all his Saints were asleep" in these desperate years.