Lincoln's strategic importance

Lincoln castle was a large and strong one that could hold its own against the most modern of siege weapons and house a considerable garrison. A force based in Lincoln castle would be comparatively safe from attack, yet could ride out to attack and raid enemy forces in the area. It was also a strategically placed transport centre. The River Witham ran inland from the Wash at Boston to Lincoln and although there were a few fording places there were no bridges. For individual travellers or merchants with pack horses the fords were good enough, but a sizeable army would have trouble crossing a large river by a ford. The wagons carrying the supplies, heavy armour and dismantled siege engines could not cope with bad road surfaces and muddy fords were quite impassable. Smaller forces could make do with whatever roads were available, but a royal army needed a bridge or a stone-built ford. Effectively the Witham between Lincoln and Boston was impassable to an army. Lincoln was the lowest crossing point on the river.

from "The Battle of Lincoln 1141" by Rupert Matthews.

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Book Description

Publication Date: 9 May 2013 | Series: Bretwalda Battles No 4

A book dedicated to the Siege of Lincoln that marked a turning point in the Wars of Anarchy during the reign of King Stephen. A civil war between King Stephen and his rival Empress Matilda broke out in 1136. By 1141 England had fallen in to near anarchy with nobles using the unrest to pursue local feuds, slaughter rivals and pillage each other's land. In 1141 Stephen moved to capture Lincoln Castle and put down one such recalcitrant nobleman. While there he was surprised and attacked by a larger army led by Matilda. The ensuing battle was complex and confused, but it ended with Stephen utterly defeated - for now. This book follows the standard pattern set by others in the Bretwalda Battles series. The reasons for and course of the war in question are outlined, then detailed analyses of weapons, tactics and strategies are given with particular reference to this battle. The course of the battleis then followed, with comment on what there is to see at the site today. Short biographies of the commanders are also given. The aftermath of the battle, its effects and importance to the progress of the war are then described. The "Bretwalda Battles" series has been running with increasing success as ebooks for some time. Now the first books in the series are being published in print format.

NEW BOOK - The Retreat to Corunna

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Product Description

The Retreat to Corunna was a spectacular defeat for the British Army, yet it managed to save its reputation by carrying out one of the great fighting retreats of military history.

In 1808 a British army under Sir John Moore advanced from its base at Lisbon into Spain to aid Spanish armies fighting against a French invasion led by the Emperor Napoleon himself. As the British approached Madrid they learned that the main Spanish army had been destroyed by Napoleon and Madrid captured by the French. Hundreds of miles from base, cut off by marauding French cavalry, the British had to fight their way out or risk utter destruction.

What followed was an epic march over the mountains in winter to reach the port of Corunna where the Royal Navy waited to rescue the outnumbered British army. But who would get to Corunna first - Moore or Napoleon.

Written by a military author of great experience, this book explains the way battles were fought two centuries ago and explains the course of the action in an accessible but authoritative style.

This lavishly illustrated ebook is a must for anyone interested in the Peninsular War. This book forms part of the Bretwalda Battles series on The Peninsular War.


Contents
Chapter 1 - The Peninsular War
Chapter 2 - The Commanders at Corunna
Chapter 3 - Weapons, Soldiers and Tactics
Chapter 4 - The French Army
Chapter 5 - The British Army
Chapter 6 - The Retreat to Corunna
Chapter 7 - After Corunna


About the Author
Oliver Hayes is a military historian who has written extensively for books and magazines on different aspects of the military. He is now writing a series of books on the Peninsular War for Bretwalda Books.

The Battle of Lincoln 10am

The situation around 10am when the army of Robert of Gloucester was sighted approaching Lincoln from the southwest. King Stephen was in the cathedral hearing mass when the news was brought to him.

Just after dawn on Sunday 2 February Stephen was attending mass in the cathedral to celebrate the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin. As was the custom he, as the senior lay person present, was holding a ceremonial wax taper while Bishop Alexander began the service. As Stephen passed the taper to the bishop it snapped in half and went out. The event caused Alexander to fumble the pyx containing the holy wafer, causing it to fall sideways on to the altar. Such minor incidents had a greater importance to the medieval mind than they do today. They were not just omens or portents, but signs sent direct from the saints or even from God. Interpreting such signs could be difficult, but nevertheless everyone agreed they were important. A rustle ran around the church as men and women glanced at each other.

As the service continued a knight came hurrying to the king with word that an army had come in sight. It was coming from the southwest, up the old Roman road from Nottingham and Newark. The banners soon showed that Earl Ranulf was there, but so was Robert of Gloucester and a host of other noblemen. Realising the importance of the news, Stephen began a muttered conversation with one or two noblemen who were in cathedral with him, apparently including William of Ypres. This again raised eyebrows. As a particpant in the service, Stephen should have been paying attention to God, not to secular events. It was an action that would be seen as tempting fate and would not have been popular. As soon as the service was over, Stephen summoned a council of the leading nobles who were with him to discuss what should be done.

Basically Stephen could either stand and fight, or he could retreat north and leave Lincoln to his enemies. There were a few voices urging retreat, but most favoured fighting. Stephen therefore mustered his men out to war. The city sent its militia as well. The royal army drew itself up to the west of the city. Exactly where Stephen put his army is not now known. Given the layout of the land he would most likely have put his men on the slope of Carholme, perhaps near what is now Long Leys Road.

from The Battle of Lincoln by Rupert Matthews
Buy your copy HERE

Book Description

Publication Date: 28 April 2013 | Series: Bretwalda Battles No 4

A book dedicated to the Siege of Lincoln that marked a turning point in the Wars of Anarchy during the reign of King Stephen. A civil war between King Stephen and his rival Empress Matilda broke out in 1136. By 1141 England had fallen in to near anarchy with nobles using the unrest to pursue local feuds, slaughter rivals and pillage each other's land. In 1141 Stephen moved to capture Lincoln Castle and put down one such recalcitrant nobleman. While there he was surprised and attacked by a larger army led by Matilda. The ensuing battle was complex and confused, but it ended with Stephen utterly defeated - for now. This book follows the standard pattern set by others in the Bretwalda Battles series. The reasons for and course of the war in question are outlined, then detailed analyses of weapons, tactics and strategies are given with particular reference to this battle. The course of the battleis then followed, with comment on what there is to see at the site today. Short biographies of the commanders are also given. The aftermath of the battle, its effects and importance to the progress of the war are then described. The "Bretwalda Battles" series has been running with increasing success as ebooks for some time. Now the first books in the series are being published in print format.