Battle of Sluys
Off Sluis, Zeeland, Netherlands (then Flanders)
What happened
The English fleet of King Edward III fought the French fleet led by Admiral Hugues Quiéret and Nicolas Béhuchet. Early in the Hundred Years' War, the French gathered a large fleet in the harbour at Sluys to block an English invasion. They chained their ships together in three lines, which made them hard to move. The English attacked in groups, with archers on some ships covering soldiers who boarded and captured the French vessels.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The victory gave England control of the English Channel for a time and let Edward land his army in Flanders. France soon rebuilt its fleet, and French raids continued.
What came next
Edward's army went on to besiege Tournai but failed to take it. The harbour inlet at Sluys later silted up and is now land.
Did you know?
Edward's gold coin, the noble, minted after the battle, shows the king seated in a ship.
Timeline
- 1337The Hundred Years' War begins.
- 24 June 1340The English win at Sluys.
- 1340Edward's army besieges Tournai without success.