Battle of Fornham facts for kids

The Battle of Fornham was an important battle fought in England on 17 October 1173. It was part of a larger conflict known as the Revolt of 1173–1174. This revolt saw King Henry II of England fighting against his own sons and their allies. The battle took place near the villages of Fornham in Suffolk and ended with a clear victory for the King's forces.

Why Did the Battle of Fornham Happen?

The Great Revolt of 1173–1174

The Battle of Fornham was a key moment in a big rebellion against King Henry II. This rebellion started in April 1173. It happened because King Henry II wanted to give land to his youngest son, Prince John. However, his three older sons – Henry, Richard, and Geoffrey – were not happy about this.

The older sons felt their father was unfair. So, they ran away to the court of King Louis VII of France. There, they gathered support and started a rebellion against their own father.

Rebels Invade England

The rebellious sons and King Louis VII found many allies. They even invaded Normandy, a region controlled by Henry II in France. The Scottish king also invaded England to support the rebels. However, these early invasions did not succeed.

Peace talks began between the rebels and King Henry II, but they didn't lead to any agreement. At this point, Robert de Beaumont, who was the Earl of Leicester, decided to join the fight. He planned to invade England with a large group of soldiers from Flanders, a region in modern-day Belgium. These soldiers were called mercenaries because they fought for money.

Leicester's March and Challenges

Earl Robert de Beaumont landed in Walton, Suffolk, in late September or early October 1173. He wanted to team up with another rebel leader, Hugh Bigod, the Earl of Norfolk. Bigod was based at Framlingham Castle.

After some small fights, Leicester decided to move his army towards his own castle in Leicester. His castle had recently been attacked by the King's forces and needed help. There might also have been disagreements between Earl de Beaumont and Earl Bigod, and even Bigod's wife, Gundreda. This made Leicester decide to move his troops.

The Battle of Fornham

Who Fought in the Battle?

The Battle of Fornham happened on 17 October 1173. The rebel forces were led by Earl Robert de Beaumont. The King's forces were led by several important people. These included Richard de Lucy, who was the Chief Justiciar (a top legal and administrative official). Other leaders were Humphrey de Bohun, the Lord High Constable, and several powerful Earls: Reginald de Dunstanville (Earl of Cornwall), William of Gloucester (Earl of Gloucester), and William d'Aubigny (Earl of Arundel).

The rebel army had about 3,000 mercenaries. The King's army was smaller in numbers but very strong. It included at least 300 knights. Knights were highly trained and well-equipped warriors. The King's forces also included Roger Bigod, the son of the Earl of Norfolk, who had stayed loyal to the King. In addition to the knights, the King's army had local soldiers and troops from the lands of the Earls of Gloucester, Arundel, and Cornwall.

The Surprise Attack

The battle took place near the River Lark. This area is close to the modern-day villages of Fornham St Genevieve, Fornham All Saints, and Fornham St Martin in Suffolk. This location is about 4 miles (6.4 km) north of Bury St Edmunds.

The King's forces caught the rebels by surprise while they were crossing the River Lark. This meant Leicester's army was split, making them vulnerable. The rebel cavalry (soldiers on horseback) were quickly captured. Most of the mercenaries were pushed into nearby swamps. The local peasants, who supported the King, then killed many of the trapped mercenaries.

Earl Robert de Beaumont himself was captured during the battle. His wife, Petronilla de Grandmesnil, who had even put on armor to fight, was also captured.

What Happened After the Battle?

The Battle of Fornham was a major victory for King Henry II. It significantly weakened the rebellion in England. Earl Robert de Beaumont remained a prisoner until January 1177. After his release, some of his lands were given back to him. The revolt continued for a short time but eventually ended with King Henry II defeating his rebellious sons.

Sources

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