First Barons War

In 1214 AD, John of England had formed a coalition with Germany's Otto IV of Brunswick, Count Ferrand of Flanders, and a huge number of barons to join in a massive attack against Philippe Auguste, King of France. Not until the time of the emperor Charles V had so many enemies lined up against a French monarch. It was in July and it took place on two fronts: John attacked at La-Roches-aux-Moines in Anjou and the Germans with the Flemish at Bouvines in Flanders.

Related Topics:
John of England - Otto IV of Brunswick - Flanders - Baron - Philippe Auguste - Charles V

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The King of France sent his son, Prince Louis, to deal with the armies from England, while he himself battled against the Flemish and German forces. On July 2, at the approach of the Prince and his knights, John flew from their might to the safety of England, never to return to France. On July 27, at Bouvines, Otto IV barely escaped from the battle to Germany to be soon deposed. Ferrand of Flanders was caught by the French king to be kept prisoner for the next 12 years.

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The King of France had proceeded to defeat them all, so decisively that to this day most English-language histories consistently omit mentioning the battles altogether. But those that do, describe the La-Roches-aux-Moines and Bouvines battles as the most significant in medieval Europe and the first great international conflict in Europe and the greatest battle of its age.

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After this, John accepted the fate that Philippe Augustus of France had allotted him and surrendered undisputed control of all the territories he had contested from his lord (John was the feudal vassal of the King of France). And thus, having to move to the British islands, John became "the First Resident King" of England".

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Worse, his barons there had come up with forty-eight "Articles of the Barons" that reduced his power in their favour. And so, in order to get their oath of allegiance back, John had to accept the articles: They became known as the "Magna Carta". It increased the rights for 25% of England — its French nobility, some church officials, Jewish merchants and other "free men" — but it still somewhat ignored the Anglo-Saxon natives.

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John, however, broke his word over the Magna Carta, subjugated England into a vassal state of the Pope, attacked Rochester castle and launched marauding expeditions to the north. And so, in 1215, the British nobility asked Prince Louis, Philippe Augustus' son, to the rescue. Strangely, the annals of Waverley report that the French Prince was asked to invade England in order to "prevent the realm being pillaged by aliens".

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At first, in November of 1215, Louis simply sent the barons a contingent of knights to protect London. But he also agreed to invade England (even though the Pope threatened him with excommunication over it and the King of France argued against it. And invade is just what he did. On May 21st 1216, watchmen on the coast of Thanet detected sails on the horizon. The next day, the King of England and his armies saw Louis?s fleet land and the troops disembark on the coast of Kent. John then decided to escape to Winchester.

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And so with little resistance the prince entered London, and on June 14 captured Winchester and soon conquered over half of the British kingdom. At St Paul's Cathedral, Louis was accepted as ruler with great pomp and celebration in the presence of all of London. Many nobles, including the King of Scotland, gathered to give homage to him. In the meanwhile, the King of France had taunted his son for trying to conquer England without first seizing its key: Dover. And he was right. When Louis did move on to Dover on July 25, it was prepared. Dover resisted so gallantly that Louis found an important part of his forces kept from the main theatre of operations.

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In October of that year, John died. The main reason for the fighting died with him. And now Louis seemed much more of a threat to baronial interests that John's nine year old son, Henry. Pierre des Roches (the bishop of Winchester) and a number of barons, rushed to get the young Henry to be crowned as king of England. They couldn?t do it in London of course (Prince Louis? government was there) and so, on October 28 1216, they brought the boy from the castle at Devizes to an abbey, in Gloucester in front of a small attendance presided by a Papal Legate. There, using as a crown a band of gold made from a necklace, they 'crowned' Henry.

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A great deal of the country was loyal to Prince Louis but the southwest of England and the midlands favoured Henry. The boy Henry?s first regent, named Guillaume le Marechal, was the man who resolved the situation...in favour of Henry. He is today refered to in England as "William Marshall".

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Guillaume was a highly respected man and he asked the barons not to blame the child Henry for his father's sins. The prevailing sentiment, helped by self interest, disliked the idea of depriving a boy of his inheritance. Guillaume also promised that he and the other regents would rule by Magna Carta. And he furthermore managed to get support from the pope who had already excommunicated Louis anyway.

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William slowly managed to get most barons to switch sides from Louis to Henry and attack Louis. The two opposing sides fought for about a year. On December 6, 1216 Louis took Hetfortd castle but allowed the defending knights to leave with their horses and weapons. He then took Berkhamstead in late December. And again Louis allowed the royal garrison to withdraw honourably with their horses and weapons. But on May 15, 1217, at Lincoln castle, Guillaume le Marechaland Falkes de Breaute succeeded in an attack against Barons loyal to Louis. This event is known as "Lincoln Fair" after the looting that took place afterwards. The citizens were loyal to Louis ... so Henry?s forces sacked the city. Many women and children perished.

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William Marshall prepared for a siege against London next. But in the meantime, at the straits of Dover, Guillaume?s ally, Hubert de Burgh, caught and destroyed Louis? reinforcement convoy. This made it near impossible for Louis to continue fighting.

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On September 11 in 1217 at Lambeth a peace treaty was signed. The outgoing King Louis accepted a symbolic sum to relinquish his English dominions and returned home. Though it was not in the treaty, it was ofetn reported that Louis would try to convince the King of France, his father, to give to Henry that he had conquered from his father.

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