On 4th February 1380 a Franco-Castilian Naval Treaty was agreed. It built upon ties created as a result of French support in Castillian-Portuguese disputes. The maritime pact extended Castille’s naval support for France. Now, Castille promised a fleet of some 20 galleys, capable of carrying 4600 men which would be based all year round in ports on the Northern Coast of France.
France and Castille’s Naval Pact of 1380
Bonds between Castille and France
The Castilians were an important ally of the French. Having been drawn into the Anglo-French conflicts because of the Castilian Civil Wars, they had honoured agreements with France and provided a significant part of the French naval capability. This posed a risk to shipping to and from Gascony, where the Castilian fleet had intervened on several occasions.
1380: Campaign plans of the English and French
1380 was already proving to be an important year in terms of planning. The minority Council of Richard II had turned its attention to matters on the Continent. A campaign to be commanded by the Duke of Buckingham was intended. Orders had been issued for a campaign in Brittany.
As the English were making their plans, so too were the French and Castilians. The Castilian Ambassador to France, Pedro Lopez de Ayala, held discussions with King Charles V. The pair agreed to a naval treaty that would see the Castilians provide France with a fleet of 20 galleys. This fleet would carry 4600 sailors and soldiers.
Castille’s naval commitment to the French
The Castilians had committed to a fleet double the size of her earlier contributions to French naval power. It was to be based on the French north coast. And, in a change to previous practice, the Castilian fleet would stay in French ports over winter instead of sailing south to Castile. France now commanded a larger, more potent fleet of fighting ships. And they could now sustain operations for a longer period as the Castilian vessels could be called upon whenever the weather was suitable.
English response to news of the Franco-Castillian naval treaty
When the English heard about the Franco-Castilian naval treaty and its terms, they were aghast. England immediately changed the plan to sail to Brittany. Castilian galleys could potentially wreak havoc against much slower transports, and so the English fleet and army would now need to sail the shorter distance across the straights of Dover. This delayed the English preparations and forced a long, dangerous march from Calais upon Buckingham’s men.
The success of the French in gaining this new alliance also made England look to strengthen her alliances. In particular, Portugal was courted. The Portuguese regularly clashed with Castile and, like the Castilians, offered a potent threat at sea.
Further Reading:
Research on English policy and the Castilian fleet
Featured Image:
Venetian Galley of the 14th Century. Sir George C. V. Holmes : Ancient and Modern Ships V1: Wooden Sailing Ships (1900)