Blood Cries Afar (66 page)

The perils of sea travel: a military ship goes down in a storm. This was the fate of many vessels in John’s reinforcement fleet in the English Channel in 1215, coming to England to prepare for the French invasion. Among the victims was one of John’s leading commanders. (Corpus Christi College, Cambridge)

A soldier of King John torturing prisoners. The livery of the soldier denotes him as being in the service of John’s general William Marshal, considered by many contemporaries as the epitome of chivalry. (Corpus Christi College, Cambridge)

John’s campaigning, September 1215 to March 1216. (W.L. Warren,
King John
)

Prince Louis with the four cardinal virtues being presented with a copy of the
Karolinus
by its author, Gilles de Paris. The work was designed to inspire Louis to emulate the deeds of the great first Holy Roman Emperor, Charlemagne. (Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris)

John’s network of royal castles, a major military asset during the French invasion. (John Gillingham,
The Angevin Empire
)

Dover Castle. This massive fortress overlooking the English Channel was ‘the key to England’ according to Matthew Paris. It was subjected to prolonged sieges by French forces. (Author)

Siege and battle scene. Most medieval battles arose from siege situations. Note the trebuchet in action. These large machines, the heavy artillery of the day, were used to great effect against castle walls during the invasion. However, some very strong fortresses could withstand their bombardment. (Pierpont Morgan Library)

The Roman walls of Portchester looking towards the twelfth-century keep. Portchester’s strong coastal position made it an important objective for Louis. (Author)

Armies on the move. The supply wagon is transporting the soldiers’ armour. Logistics were key to a successful campaign and a particular problem for the French invaders. (Pierpont Morgan Library)

A king prepares for battle, he and his horse wearing the chainmail armour of the day.(Trinity College, Cambridge)

The great seal of King Louis. (Archives Nationales, Sceaux, Paris)

Map showing the territory consolidated by Louis during his invasion. It does not show the land of English rebels affiliated to him in the North. (N.J.G. Pounds,
The Medieval Castle in England and Wales)

Newark Castle, the place of John’s death. (Author)