Book Review: "1217" by Catherine Hanley
Hanley's look into the First Barons' War is a masterwork of medieval nonfiction.
Note: I know this is a little late, but I wanted to share this week’s book review anyways! Apologies for the delay. I hope you enjoy! ~AT
In her book 1217, author Catherine Hanley relates the events surrounding a little-discussed but historically-pivotal conflict in medieval England: the First Barons’ War. This concise but detailed work effortlessly collates contemporary accounts of the different stages of the war into a comprehensive and engrossing work. Those interested in early medieval politics or warfare should find plenty to enjoy in this book.
Historical Context
Any list of “the worst kings in English history” would inevitably include King John. Contemporaries and historians alike generally agree that his tense relationship with his barons, the loss of Angevin landholdings in France, treatment of prisoners, and, to some, his turning of England into a papal vassal. On June 15, 1215, John affixed his seal to a document called Magna Carta, the “Great Charter”. This charter ostensibly avoided civil war as John agreed to protect the land and rights of his barons.
And yet, Magna Carta ultimately proved a temporary staying of hostilities between the king and his magnates. After Pope Innocent nullified the charter in August of that year, dissension among the barons intensified. This set the stage for the conflict that engulfed England from late-1215 to 1217 and almost saw a French prince ascend the throne.
That threat came in the form of the rebel barons and Prince Louis, the son of the French king Philip Augustus. In the aftermath of Innocent’s rescinding of Magna Carta in August 1215, those opposed to John’s rule sought alternatives. John, after all, was an anointed king and would not be so easily overthrown. They turned to Louis as the most viable option.
Louis held his claim to the throne through jure uxoris, by right of his wife Blanche of Castile, the granddaughter of Henry II and John’s niece. The rebel barons offered the English throne to Louis, and the prince accepted, sending some 140 knights to England in December 1215. This served as the precursor for further military action between Louis and John, and later, a young Henry III.
Synopsis
The prologue in Catherine Hanley’s 1217 establishes the tone for the rest of the book. She imagines a victorious military triumph throughout southeast England.
“For years, a violent threat has been hanging over them – one that has caused death and destruction, and a constant, overwhelming terror that their peaceful streets might soon be echoing with screams of fear and running with the blood of their families and children. But now that threat is gone, and the relief of the citizens is palpable as they stand about in little knots, shading their eyes against the slanting early sunlight, talking it over and over.”1
Turning to the introduction, Hanley begins 1217 with an explanation of England’s political climate in the aftermath of Magna Carta. As detailed above, the dissension among England’s magnates reached a fever pitch in summer 1215, prompting the rebel barons’ invitation to Louis and his subsequent military campaign.
Hanley identifies three specific events that heavily influenced the war’s outcome: a siege, a land battle, and a sea battle. These pivotal events, elucidated upon in chronological order, frame the rest of the book and were “distinctive in their introduction of new military technology and the use of innovative tactics that would greatly influence future engagements, both in England and beyond.”2
The first significant event was a siege at Dover Castle. This massive fortification, perched like a sentinel on rocky cliffs, overlooks the English Channel. In the early 13th century, the nobleman Hubert de Burgh served as the keep’s castellan. Louis and his forces besieged Dover Castle in late-July 1216, failing to make much headway except for destroying a barbican and collapsing one of the gatehouse towers. De Burgh and Louis reached a truce on October 14, 1216.
The second major event concerns another besieged castle, this one being Lincoln Castle under the stewardship of one Nicola de la Haye. Quite an extraordinary woman, de la Haye assumed the position of castellan after husband's death. She proved a staunch royalist ally, even as rebel forces tried to batter her into submission. At first, things seemed desperate. Then, royalist reinforcements came to de la Hayes's rescue, culminating in the Battle of Lincoln on Saturday, May 20, 1217. Once again, the loyal English routed the invading forces.
The final battle that ultimately sealed the fate for Louis’s ambitions was the Battle of Sandwich on August 24, 1217. Blanche of Castile sent her husband his own reinforcements to bolster his troops. Had they successfully landed in England, the war’s outcome may have been different. However, in a spectacular battle, the English fleet, under the combined forces of Hubert de Burgh and Philip d’Albini, defeated the French navy.
Other skirmishes and military maneuvers peppered the months of 1216 and 1217. Hanley devotes considerable attention to these as well, especially the movements of William of Cassingham. William was a country squire who organized guerrilla forces to harass Louis’s forces in the Weald in southeastern England. It’s also possible he inspired the legend behind Robin Hood.
Finally, Hanley writes about the Treaty of Lambeth, the agreement between Louis and Henry III’s regent, William Marshal. Signed on September 11, 1217, the treaty saw Louis renounce his claims to the throne and the withdrawal of his troops. In return, he received 10,000 marks and secured the release of prisoners with no further ransoms needed. Hanley notes that this was more of an exchange of equals, rather than one victorious force exacting reparations from and punishing the losing side.
Review
1217 grants readers a concise but comprehensive look into a war about which not many people know. And yet, the First Barons’ War could have easily changed the course of English history as assuredly the Battle of Hastings did. Hanley has added a worthy entry into the medieval warfare niche.
Hanley pulls from a myriad of contemporary and almost-contemporary chroniclers in describing the historical context, battles, and important protagonists. She also addresses limitations and biases, presenting a balanced, if not entirely objective, interpretation of events. Like many authors, Hanley occasionally adds in a touch of dramatic flair as she recounts events, but I rarely found it to be distracting.
Primary sources form the cornerstone of any historical work, and Hanley handles these interpretations quite well. However, she rarely addresses the historiography of the subject, except for a couple of footnote mentions. 1217 could have benefited from a more thorough discussion of the secondary source material.
Additionally, and perhaps this is more of a nuanced critique, Hanley fails to name the conflict as the First Barons' War. I'd imagine it could be due to the varying historical names of military conflicts across countries. And, to be fair, I read and reviewed a pre-published copy, not the final product.
On the whole, I found 1217 a fascinating read. Hanley’s masterwork, resonating with military drama and intrigue, royal feuds, political seesawing, and engrossing historical characters, is a true tour de force. Perfect for a medieval history or military history buff!
Thank you to the author and publisher for a digital ARC of this book via NetGalley!
Book Summary
Title: 1217
Author: Catherine Hanley
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
Publication Year: May 2024
Page Count: 304pp
Featured image: Lincoln Castle (Canva/Dave Porter)
Catherine Hanley, 1217 (Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2024), Prologue.
Ibid., Prologue.