This is a chronological list of feudal wars spanning from 1100 to 1400 during what can be considered the golden age of feudalism. Usually the wars will be caused by conflicting dynastic claims but also be fought over a variety of other normally personal casus belli. Feudal wars were considered to be a lawful practice if they respected the given feudal contract. In most countries it was traditionally considered the right of the nobility to fight personal feuds without incurring legal penalties, however the Kingdom of England was an exception due to its high level of royal power which could even go so far as to restrict tournaments. In France war was declared by sending a symbol to the enemy, normally a glove. Also in France relatives as far as the seventh degree were supposed to be drawn into the conflict but this was hardly ever the case especially when relatives of this kinship could be related to both families or live so far from the conflict that it was completely impractical for them to join. French customs relating to feudal warfare were adopted elsewhere. Usually feudal wars would involve both parties plundering each other's territories, skirmishes, sieges, and occasionally full battles. Feudal wars were also marked by their lack of casualties and often there was a fine line between a tournament and a feudal war (In 1119 Orderic Vitalis recounts that in a battle of 900 knights he knows of only three who died). Often the leaders and participants of the feudal wars were related to some degree which helps explain the lack of casualties (to slay kin was considered much worse than to kill someone unrelated). As a result, the, generally smaller the war was the smaller the percent of casualties it was likely to have (this also goes into the idea of genus or race).
List of wars This list will not include religious wars because they are induced by ideological rather than personal or familial conflict.
Counts of Bilstein vs Counts of Northeim 1105–1110 – Conflict between the counts of Northeim and the Counts of Bilstein in which the Counts of Northeim destroyed the first Bilstein castle War of the Flemish succession (1127–1128) 1127–1228 – William Clito fought against Thierry, Count of Flanders for the county of Flanders Battle of São Mamede 1128 – Battle which established Portugal's independence as a kingdom. Portuguese forces led by Afonso Henriques defeated forces led by his mother Teresa of Portugal and her lover Fernão Peres de Trava. Following São Mamede, the future king styled himself "Prince of Portugal". West Frisian Wars 1132–1297 – Series of wars asserting the Count of Holland's dominance over West Friesland The Anarchy – The Anarchy was a civil war in England and Normandy between 1135 and 1153, which resulted in a widespread breakdown in law and order. The conflict was a war of succession precipitated by the accidental death of William Adelin, the only legitimate son of King Henry I, who drowned in the sinking of the White Ship in 1120. Henry sought to be succeeded by his daughter, known as Empress Matilda, but was only partially successful in convincing the nobility to support her. On Henry's death in 1135, his nephew Stephen of Blois seized the throne, with the help of Stephen's brother Henry of Blois, who was the Bishop of Winchester. Stephen's early reign saw fierce fighting with disloyal English barons, rebellious Welsh leaders, and Scottish invaders. Following a major rebellion in the south-west of England, Matilda invaded in 1139 with the help of her half-brother Robert of Gloucester. Grimbergen Wars 1139–1159 – the battle between the counts of Leuven and the Berthout family, lords of Grimbergen and Mechelen from 1139 to 1159 . The war ended with the destruction of the fortress of the Berthouts, who became loyal vassals of the duke. Baussenque Wars 1144–1162 – Series of wars between the House of Barcelona (then ruling in the county of Provence) and the house of House of Baux Battle of Lobregal 1160 – Climax of a feud between the de Castro and de Lara families over the regency for the kingdom of Castile Battle of Huete 1164 – Another battle in the de Castro de Lara feud which the de Laras lost Tübingen Feud 1164–1166 – Hugo II, Count Palatine of Tübingen punished Robber barons one of which was associated with the House of Welf. Welf VII demanded satisfaction for the insult and Hugo sent his defiance. Hugo had powerful allies including the bishops of Augsburg, Speyer, and worms and the Berthold IV, Duke of Zähringen. On Sunday, September 6, 1164, a skirmish turned into an unplanned battle in which the Guelph side was defeated. Ultimately Hugo was unable to win against such a powerful foe and when the Emperor intervened on behalf of Welf VII he had to prostrate himself three times to Welf. Flemish–Hollandic conflict over Zeeland Bewestenschelde 1165–1323 – Series of conflicts between the counts of Flanders and the Counts of Holland over Flemish wars with Holland over Zeeland and Friesland 1166–1167 – Wars between the two counts first over Zeeland in 1166–1167, and later over Friesland. Siege of Zorita de los Canes 1169 – Early in the reign of Alfonso VIII of Castile Fernando Rodríguez de Castro holds Zorita through is castellan Lope de Arenas in defiance of the king who was a child at the time. The king enlists the help of the Count Nuño Pérez de Lara exile Leonese Count Ponce de Minerva but they are both captured through a violation of safe conduct. Eventually the town surrenders and is donated to the Order of Calatrava Civil war era in Norway 1130–1240; Many different wars between several different parties of nobility vying for the throne of Norway. The main two parties which emerge are the Bagler (Croziermen; mostly landowning nobles and clergy), and the Birkebeiner (Mostly household Retainers, peasants, and men living on the eastern marches of Norway) Revolt of 1173–1174 – The Revolt of 1173–1174 was a rebellion against King Henry II of England by three of his sons, his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine, and their rebel supporters. The revolt ended in failure after eighteen months; Henry's rebellious family members had to resign themselves to his continuing rule and were reconciled to him. Imperial war Against Heinrich the Lion 1180-1181 - A punitive war against the Welf Duke of Saxony for disrespecting Imperial authority, the Welf Duke ends up submitting Flemish–Hollandic conflict over Zeeland Bewestenschelde 1186–1265 – 1191–1195 Bogen-Wittelsbach war for Regensburg 1192; Count Albert III von Bogen fought a coalition of nobles including Imperial County of Ortenburg, von Kraiburg, and the House of Wittelsbachs dukes of Bavaria over several fiefs on the Danube along with the Burgraviate of Regensburg (Governorship). His powerful alliance to the Kingdom of Bohemia through his marriage with princess Ludmilla of Bohemia must have contributed to his success in the war. Although the Bogenbergs won the war in combat, the emperor's threats were enough to conclude the war in a way which was detrimental to the von Bogen Logudoro-Cagliari War 1194–1198; Complex war between Giudices in Sardinia County of Vianden war against Archbishopric of Trier for the Castle Arras 1195–1197 – War to reclaim a castle for the county of Vianden by Friedrich III, Count of Vianden ends in Trier victory. German throne dispute 1197–1215 – a political conflict in the Holy Roman Empire from 1198 to 1215. This dispute between the House of Hohenstaufen and House of Welf was over the successor to Emperor Henry VI who had just died. After a conflict lasting 17 years the Hohenstaufen Frederick II prevailed. Freiburg Noble Uprising 1198; Berthold V, Duke of Zähringen crushes a noble uprising in Freiburg im Breisgau Battle of Waschow 1200 – Count Adolf von Dassel was defeated by king Canute VI of Denmark losing the county of Ratzeburg War of the Antiochene Succession 1201–1219 – The War of the Antiochene Succession comprised a series of armed conflicts in northern Syria between 1201 and 1219, connected to the disputed succession of Bohemond III of Antioch. Liégeois–Brabantian Wars 1202 – French invasion of Normandy (1202–1204); Following John, King of England's decision to steal Isabella of Angoulême from Hugh IX of Lusignan and wed her in order to take over Angoulême Hugh complained to the king of France who decided to revoke much of John's land in France as a punishment for his tyrannical actions (Isabella was already engaged to Hugh IX before John decided to marry her). The French were able to conquer Normandy impressively quickly despite a resistance lead in part by William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke (Often known as the greatest knight who ever lived) Loon War 1203–1206 – The Loon War (Dutch: Loonse Oorlog) was a war of succession over the County of Holland (and its dependency Zeeland) from 1203 until 1206, brought on by the death of count Dirk VII. The war was waged between Dirk's brother William of Frisia, and Dirk's daughter Ada who had quickly married count Louis II of Loon. Capetian conquest of Auvergne 1210–1213; After Guy II d'Auvergne count of Auvergne attacks an abbey and is excommunicated Philip II of France uses this as an excuse to declare war on him and take the majority of his lands. First Battle of Ulrichen 1211 – Berthold V, Duke of Zähringen is defeated despite having a massive army by Savoyards while trying to expand his duchy east. Portuguese Succession war of 1211 – The will of the previous king of Portugal grants important castles to king Afonso II of Portugal's sisters, he objects to it and many nobles are exiled Welsh uprising of 1211 1211 – The Welsh uprising of 1211 was a rebellion by several Welsh princes, orchestrated by Llywelyn ap Iorwerth with primary support from Gwenwynwyn of Powys, Maelgwn ap Rhys, Madog ap Gruffydd Maelor and Maredudd ap Robert against King John of England Battle of Steppes 1213 – Feudal war of the castle of Moha after the last of the counts of Moha died out the duke of Brabant Henry I, Duke of Brabant fights Louis II, Count of Loon, Bishop Hugues de Pierrepont, and Henry III, Duke of Limburg. The battle is a disaster for the Duke of Brabant who loses more than half his army and only kills 200 of the enemy and results in the loss of the castle to the Bishopric of Liège. Anglo-French War (1213–1214) – Anti-French expansion coalition led by John, King of England, Pope Innocent III, Otto IV, Holy Roman Emperor, Renaud I, Count of Dammartin, and Henry I, Duke of Brabant declare war on Philip II of France and the kingdom of France in order to regain Normandy for King John which he had lost in 1204. The Pope felt threatened by the alliance emerging between Philip Augustus and Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor who were both considered at the time to be extremely successful and powerful kings. On the other hand Otto IV, Holy Roman Emperor was trying to consolidate his position as Emperor against the claims of Frederick II who also claimed to be the Emperor. Additionally the House of Welf had traditionally got along well with the Papacy and the kingdom of England so it was a natural alliance. Renaud was originally a powerful friend and vassal of the king of France but fell out with him over a dispute with Philip of Dreux, subsequently paying homage to King John in 1212. The duke of Brabant was a vassal of the Holy Roman Empire and had chosen to support Otto over Frederick II. The conflict culminated at the Battle of Bouvines which was a French victory. First Barons' War 1215–1217; Feudal war against the tyranny of John, King of England led by Robert Fitzwalter with a foreign army under Louis VIII of France landing in England to help the rebels