Battle of Sluys facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Sluys
Part of the Hundred Years' War
A miniature of the battle from Jean Froissart's Chronicles, 14th century.
Date 24 June 1340 Location Off Sluys in the French fief of Flanders (now spelled "Sluis" and part of the Dutch region of Zeelandic Flanders) Result Decisive English victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of England	Kingdom of France
Commanders and leaders
Edward III of England  (WIA)	Hugues Quiéret   † Nicolas Béhuchet   †
Strength
200–250 ships	190–213 ships
Casualties and losses
Unknown. Estimated: Several thousand.	16,000–18,000 (La Guerre de 100 Ans by Georges Minois) to 20,000 (Europe: A History by Norman Davies) Most ships captured

The Battle of Sluys happened on June 24, 1340. It was a very important sea battle at the start of the Hundred Years' War. The English navy attacked the French fleet near the port of Sluis. The English won a huge victory, destroying most of the French ships. This battle stopped France from being able to invade England by sea. After this, most of the fighting in the war happened on land in France.

Why the Battle of Sluys Happened

The Hundred Years' War began because the King of England, Edward III, believed he should also be the King of France. He wanted to control the French throne. To do this, he needed to invade France.

England's Plan to Invade France

King Edward III had gathered a large army in England. He planned to sail his soldiers across the English Channel to France. However, the French king, Philip VI, knew about this plan. Philip gathered a large fleet of ships to stop the English invasion.

France's Naval Strategy

The French fleet was made up of many ships, including some from Genoa (a powerful Italian city-state). Their goal was to block the English fleet and prevent them from landing in France. They positioned their ships near Sluys, a port in what is now the Netherlands.

The Battle Begins: English Attack

On June 24, 1340, the English fleet, led by King Edward III himself, arrived near Sluys. The French fleet was lined up in several rows, blocking the harbor.

English Tactics and Ship Design

The English ships were mostly merchant vessels, like large cargo ships called cogs. These ships were quickly turned into warships. They had tall wooden towers built on their decks. These towers gave archers a high place to shoot arrows down onto enemy ships. The English also had many skilled longbowmen.

French Fleet's Formation

The French fleet was commanded by Hugues Quiéret and Nicolas Béhuchet. They chained their ships together in three lines. This was meant to create a strong wall of ships. However, it also made it hard for their ships to move or escape.

Fighting on the Sea

The battle started with the English sailing towards the French lines. The English used their archers to fire thousands of arrows at the French ships.

Hand-to-Hand Combat at Sea

After the arrows, the English ships crashed into the French ships. Soldiers then boarded the enemy vessels. This turned the sea battle into many small, fierce hand-to-hand fights on the decks of the ships. It was like a land battle, but on water.

English Victory and French Losses

The English fought bravely and used their archers very well. The French ships, chained together, could not maneuver or help each other easily. Many French sailors and soldiers were killed. The English captured almost all of the French ships. The French commanders, Quiéret and Béhuchet, were both killed during the battle.

Aftermath and Impact

The Battle of Sluys was a huge victory for England. It had a major impact on the Hundred Years' War.

Control of the Sea

After this battle, England had control of the English Channel. This meant that English armies could cross to France whenever they wanted. It also meant that France could not launch a large-scale invasion of England.

Long-Term Effects on the War

The battle showed the importance of naval power. It also meant that the rest of the Hundred Years' War would mostly be fought on French soil. The English victory at Sluys was a strong start for King Edward III's campaign in France.

Images for kids

• 

  Edward III A portrait from the 18th century

• 

  In 1962 a well-preserved wreck of a cog dated to 1380 was found near Bremen, Germany. This is a full-size reproduction. Merchant vessels such as these, hastily converted to makeshift warships, formed the bulk of both sides' ships.
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  A gold noble coin from 1354, showing Edward seated in a ship, celebrating the battle

See also

In Spanish: Batalla de La Esclusa para niños