12 March 1339: Robert Bertrand’s French Fleet landed on Jersey
The aggressive approach of the French Admirals continued in 1339 in much the same vein as it had in 1337 and 1338. The French Fleet was divided into two parts. One was sent through the Straights of Dover to raid along the East Anglian coastline. The other, consisting of 17 hired Italian Galleys, over 30 Norman barges and Edward IIIs previous flagship, the Christopher, which had been captured the previous year, set sail for the Channel Islands at the beginning of its campaign.
12 March 1339: Robert Bertrand’s French Fleet land on Jersey
Marshal Robert Bertrand had been granted the Channel Islands by King Philip VI. On 12 March 1339 he landed on Jersey. His aim was to oust the English garrison and claim the castle as his own. Bertrand’s fleet carried around 8000 soldiers and sailors. Gorey Castle, also known as Mont Orgueil, had a garrison of 260 and additional locals who had gone to its defence. The castle has formidable defences which would be difficult to take. Bertrand therefore issued an ultimatum to the defenders.
Withdrawal of French forces from Jersey
The ultimatum was flatly rejected. Bertrand had his men identify weaknesses in the castle’s defences. An assault was attempted which was unsuccessful. Bertrand and his men camped outside the castle for just a few nights. On 16 March he and his men sailed away from Jersey. Some of the fleet reenforced French garrisons on Guernsey, the remainder sailed to La Rochelle, escorting a convoy of trading vessels.
French Coastal Raids
The summer of 1339 saw a resurgence of the raids on the English coastline. The other French fleet attacking Harwich, then attempting to land near Southampton and on the Isle of Wight. It then moved down the coast and into the Bristol Channel, attacking merchant ships before returning along the same route, attacking ships in Plymouth Sound on 20th May 1339.
French Raids of the Hundreds Year War
Raid on Southampton. 5 October 1338
