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'Battle of Lincoln' or 'First Battle of Lincoln' occurred on 2 February 1141. The forces of King Stephen of England had been besieging Lincoln Castle but were themselves attacked by a relief force loyal to Empress Matilda and commanded by Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester, Matilda's half-brother. After fierce fighting in the city's streets, Stephen's forces were defeated. Stephen himself was captured and taken to Bristol, where he was imprisoned. He was subsequently exchanged for the Earl of Gloucester, and Matilda was defeated at the Battle of Winchester the following September, ending her brief ascendancy in the wars with Stephen.

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Trivia

Sources

See also

Trivia

This battle features in the historical novel The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, and is described almost as it happened, including the capture of King Stephen and his subsequent exchange.

Sources

★ Friends of the Castle

See also

★ Battle of Lincoln (1217)