Osprey - General Military - Knight - The Warrior and ... - Brego-weard

1202-04
The Fourth Crusade. Originally called with the aim of recapturing Jerusalem by means
of an invasion through Egypt, the expedition falls into financial difficulties and a large
proportion of the crusading army is persuaded to assist the Venetians to recapture the city of
Zara (on the Adriatic coast) from the Byzantines, in return for onward transport to the Holy
Land. The crusading army goes on to become involved in a civil war between rivals for the
Byzantine Imperial crown, eventually taking the Byzantine capital of Constantinople, sacking
it and establishing their own Catholic emperor on the throne.
1209-29
The Albigensian Crusade. A series of military campaigns in response to the calls of
Pope Innocent III to destroy the Cathar heresy centred in the southern French region of the
Languedoc, but used by the northern French nobles to seize land in the south and by the
French monarchy to assert its authority over what had been an almost independent region.
It sees a series of battles and sieges, including that of the town of Beziers in 1209, which is
captured by crusading forces, its population massacred and the town itself sacked and burned.
1214
Battle of Bouvines. Fought between Philippe Augustus of France and an allied army of Flemish
and German knights in the service of the Holy Roman Emperor. The allied army is financed
by John of England, in the hope that the campaign will draw attention away from his attempts
to reclaim his family's lands on the continent. The decisive victory of the French destroys
John's last hope of this and ensures Philippe's suzerainty over Normandy, Anjou and Brittany.
1215-17
First Barons' War. A civil war fought between John of England and rebel barons under Robert
Fitz Walter, resulting from the king's refusal to abide by the Magna Carta, a document which
sought to limit royal power. Including John's successful siege of Rochester Castle in 1215, it ends,
after John's death in 1216, with the defeat in 1217 of a French army under Prince Louis.
1224
The siege of Bedford Castle. Held by troops loyal to the rebel baron Faukes de Breaute against
Henry III. On their surrender Henry has almost all of the garrison hanged.
1248-54
The Seventh Crusade. Led by the French king Louis IX against Egypt, with the aim of using
this as a springboard to the recapture of Jerusalem. The town of Damietta is taken relatively
easily in 1249, but defeat outside of Mansourah in the following year, and starvation and disease
whilst attempting to besiege the town, sees Louis and his remaining men captured and
ransomed by the Mamluk ruler of Egypt, Baibars.
1264-67
The Second Barons' War. A civil conflict between King Henry III and his son Edward against
rebel barons led by Simon de Montfort. The battle of Lewes in 1264 sees the Royalists defeated
and Henry effectively de Montfort s prisoner. However the baronial army is defeated by royal
forces led by the future Edward I at Evesham in 1265 during which Simon de Montfort is