Battle of Sandwich (1217)
51.275°N 1.420°E The Battle of Sandwich, also called the Battle of Dover 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.
| Battle of Sandwich (1217) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of First Barons' War | |||||||
The Battle of Sandwich, showing the capture of the French flagship and the killing of Eustace the Monk | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Kingdom of England | Kingdom of France | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Hubert de Burgh Philip d'Aubigny Richard FitzRoy |
Robert of Courtenay Eustace the Monk | ||||||
| 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 | ||||||
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.