The Battle of Winchelsea was fought on 29 August 1350. The French had resumed a naval policy of blockading and raiding the English coast. Deploying a Castilian fleet for the task, they sought to hinder English trade with the continent and damage maritime logistics. It was a policy which had been used to great effect in the past, severely damaging places like Southampton, Portsmouth and Plymouth. To counter it, the English took to the sea and engaged the Castilian Fleet off Winchelsea.
Naval Blockade of 1350
The French utilised a fleet of Castilian galleys to blockade English ports in the summer of 1350. It was an effective strategy, making any voyage between England and France a high-risk venture for merchants. The damage they were causing to shipping and trade led to the king deciding to lead a fleet against them in person.
Defeat of the Castilion fleet in the Battle of Winchelsea
On 29 August 1350, whilst off the coast at Dungeness, Kent, the enemy was spotted.
“This sea-fight, between the English and Spaniards, was well and hardly fought: but, as night was coming on, the English exerted themselves to do their duty well, and discomfit their enemies. The Spaniards, who are used to the sea, and were in large ships, acquitted themselves to the utmost of their power. The young prince of Wales and his division were engaged apart: his ship was grappled by a great Spaniard, when he and his knights suffered much; for she had so many holes, that the water came in very abundantly, and they could not by any means stop the leaks, which gave the crew fears of her sinking, they therefore did all they could to conquer the enemy’s ship, but in vain; for she was very large, and excellently well defended. During this danger of the prince, the duke of Lancaster came near, and, as he approached, saw he had the worst of the engagement, and that his crew had too much on their hands, for they were baling out water: he therefore fell on the other side of the Spanish vessel, with which he grappled, shouting, “Derby to the rescue!” The engagement was now very warm, but did not last for long, for the ship was taken, and all the crew thrown overboard, not one being saved. The prince, with his men, instantly embarked on board the Spaniard; and scarcely had they done so when his own vessel sunk, which convinced them of the imminent danger they had been in”.
Froissart’s Chronicle
An indecisive victory?
The English sank at least 14 Castilian galleys for the loss of 2 English ships. Heavy loss of life was suffered by both sides. Despite the victory, the seas off the south east coast remained dominated by the Franco-Castilian fleets, English shipping being forced to use more westerly routes to the continent.
Further Reading:
Graham Cushway, “The Battle of Winchelsea (1350)” — Cambridge University Press