Battlefield
Medieval Lincoln was an ancient walled city with a Norman Castle near its centre, straddling a crossroads of two important Roman-built highways: Ermine Street and Fosse Way. These trans-England routes were longtime staples of national trade and government. It was thus a strategic location. There, 150 years earlier, William the Conqueror ordered the construction of Lincoln Castle, built on a hilltop over an old Roman fort.
At the time of the battle in May 1217, the city of Lincoln had been taken by Louis' forces. However, the castle remained intact. Its garrison—loyal to King Henry—continued to defend the important fortification from forces loyal to Prince Louis, led by the Count of Perche.
Read more about this topic: Battle Of Lincoln (1217)
Famous quotes containing the word battlefield:
“Fighting is like champagne. It goes to the heads of cowards as quickly as of heroes. Any fool can be brave on a battlefield when it’s be brave or else be killed.”
—Margaret Mitchell (1900–1949)