Siege of Bedford

Timeline

1. 1224Bedford · BedfordshireLearning of the imprisoned judges while holding a council at Northampton, Henry III marched on Bedford within three days. Archbishop Stephen Langton excommunicated William de Breauté and the garrison, combining church and crown to justify the suppression. Falkes had already left the castle, and about 80 knights held the stone fortress he had fortified under William's command.
2. 1224Bedford Castle · BedfordshireThe royal forces deployed seven trebuchets and two siege towers, requisitioning engineering equipment from across England and miners from the Forest of Dean. The garrison countered with crossbow bolts and stones, causing over 200 casualties among the attackers. Around July 5 some of Falkes's supporters sued the king for peace. After the fourth assault breached the outer wall, miners collapsed the inner bailey and keep walls, and the defenders retreated to the battlements for a last stand.
3. 1224Bedford Castle · BedfordshireWilliam released prisoners and raised the royal banner before surrendering, but the king refused pardon; all male defenders were hanged, save a few Templars. Henry III ordered the castle systematically demolished: the keep razed, ditches filled, outer bailey buildings removed, and walls lowered. Royal accounts recorded the works in detail; Bedford thereafter ceased to exist as a military fortress, and the crown's punishment of rebellion deterred all England.