Atlas of Battles

battle, notable, medieval

Battle of Lincoln

Battle of Lincoln was a battle fought on 20 May 1217 at Lincoln Castle, in what is now United Kingdom. It was part of First Barons' War, which ran from 1215 to 1217. The recorded result: English victory. Recorded strength: 923+; ----406 knights; 317 crossbowmen; 200+ sergeants; Castle garrison against 1,611; ----611 knights; 1,000 infantry.

See it on the globe Read the article

A 13th-century depiction of the Second Battle of Lincoln, which occurred at Lincoln Castle on 20 May 1217 during the First Barons' War between the forces of the future Louis VIII of France and those o
A 13th-century depiction of the Second Battle of Lincoln, which occurred at Lincoln Castle on 20 May 1217 during the First Barons' War between the forces of the future Louis VIII of France and those o. Matthew Paris, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Fought20 May 1217
WhereLincoln Castle, United Kingdom53.233N, 0.539W
OutcomeEnglish victory
BelligerentsKingdom of EnglandagainstKingdom of France; Army of God and the Holy Church
Casualties and lossesModerateand300 knights captured, many killed or captured during the retreat south
Part ofFirst Barons' War1215 to 1217

Where it sits in First Barons' War

Siege of Carlisle, 1216Battle of Dover, 1217Battle of Lincoln, 1217Battle of Sandwich (1217), 121712161217Battle of Lincoln, 1217
4 placed engagements of First Barons' War in time order; taller ticks are more widely documented. Each tick is a link.

Record

Date20 May 1217
PlaceLincoln Castle, United Kingdom
53.233N, 0.539W
KindBattle, medieval
Strength923+; ----406 knights; 317 crossbowmen; 200+ sergeants; Castle garrison1,611; ----611 knights; 1,000 infantry
Casualties and lossesModerate300 knights captured, many killed or captured during the retreat south
Commanders
  • William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke
  • William Longespée, 3rd Earl of Salisbury
  • Ranulf de Blondeville, 6th Earl of Chester
  • Peter des Roches
  • William de Ferrers, 4th Earl of Derby
  • Thomas of Perche
  • Robert Fitzwalter
  • Saer de Quincy, 1st Earl of Winchester
  • Gilbert de Clare, 5th Earl of Gloucester
  • Henry de Bohun, 1st Earl of Hereford
Battle of LincolnBattle of LincolnBattle of LincolnSiege of LincolnBattle of GainsboroughBattle of Stoke FieldBattle of WincebyBattle of GainsboroughBattle of Stoke FieldBirminghamManchesterLeedsNottinghamKingston upon HullBlackpoolNorwichYork100 km53.233N, 0.539W
The recorded site, with the nearest other engagements in the atlas. Present-day coastlines, rivers and borders; towns from Natural Earth.

Nearest engagements

Contested ground: this site was fought over 3 times between 1141 and 1644.

In the same war

Elsewhere in 1217

Battle of Lincoln is one of 590 engagements of the 13th century in the atlas and one of 695 in present-day United Kingdom.

Sources

Identity, coordinates, dates and the war from Wikidata Q1855461, released under CC0. Result, belligerents, commanders, strength and casualties from the infobox of the English Wikipedia article Battle of Lincoln (1217), revision 1370447654, read 2026-11-14, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0; the article's text is not reproduced here. Present-day country and state from Natural Earth. Dates before 1582 follow the Julian calendar as recorded.