Battle of Sandwich (1217)

Battle of Sandwich (1217)
Part of First Barons' War
Old parchment showing medieval ships fighting at the battle
The Battle of Sandwich, showing the capture of the French flagship and the killing of Eustace the Monk
Date24 August 1217
Location
Result English victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of England Kingdom of France
Commanders and leaders
Hubert de Burgh
Philip d'Aubigny
Richard FitzRoy
Robert of Courtenay
Eustace the Monk Executed
Strength
16–18 large ships
20 smaller ships
10 large ships
70 supply vessels
Casualties and losses
Unknown 1 large ship, 36 knights
64 supply vessels

51°16′30″N 1°25′12″E / 51.275°N 1.420°E / 51.275; 1.420 The Battle of Sandwich, also called the Battle of Dover[1] took place on 24 August 1217 as part of the First Barons' War. A Plantagenet English fleet commanded by Hubert de Burgh attacked a Capetian French fleet led by Eustace the Monk and Robert of Courtenay off Sandwich, Kent. The English captured the French flagship and most of the supply vessels, forcing the rest of the French fleet to return to Calais.

The French fleet was attempting to bring supplies and reinforcements to Prince Louis, later King Louis VIII of France, whose French forces held London at that time. The English vessels attacked from windward, seizing Eustace's ship, making Robert and the knights prisoner and killing the rest of the crew. Eustace, a notorious pirate, was executed after being taken prisoner. The battle convinced Prince Louis to abandon his effort to conquer England and the Treaty of Lambeth was signed a few weeks later.

  1. ^ Stanton, 326