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By Bananaking
Ahoy history lovers, grab your imaginary tricorn hats and prepare for a tale of medieval maritime mayhem! On this day in 1350, King Edward III of England led a fleet to smack down a pesky Castilian armada that had been wrecking English trade and stealing more than just a glance in the English Channel. Yes, this is the prequel to the famous Spanish Armada, but long before 1588, the Castilians were already stirring the pot—and Edward wasn’t having it. But before we get to the details, let’s hear from today’s sponsor:
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Why Were The Castilians in the English Channel Anyway?
You might be thinking, “Castilians? That’s Spain, right? What were they doing buzzing around England’s sea lanes way before the Armada?” Well, turns out the Castilian fleet was basically working as France’s hired naval muscle during the infamous Hundred Years’ War. France’s own navy was in less-than-great shape, so they outsourced the dirty work to the Spaniards, who happily turned their sleek trading ships into sharp-toothed war machines—think of them as medieval pirate-merchants with serious vendettas.
These 40 proud ships prowled the Channel, harassing English merchant vessels, blockading ports, and generally making life miserable for England’s economy—and King Edward’s patience.
So, Edward III wasn't just going to sit and sip his mead while merchants cried “pirate!” He rallied his fleet, including his sons (the famous Black Prince among them), and cornered the Castilian squadron near Winchelsea. What followed was a wild naval slugfest of ramming, boarding, and a lot of “Mind your codpiece!” type shouting.
Castilian ships sported wooden castles on their decks, filled with crossbow men and mercenaries ready to fight tooth and nail. But the English were having none of it. After a fierce tangle, the Castilian fleet was battered and scattered, though not without losses on both sides. Basically, a medieval sea battle that looked like a drunken mosh pit on the water—with swords, arrows, and plenty of naval swagger.
What Can History Geeks Learn?
Proxy Wars Are Nothing New: The Castilian fleet’s presence in the Channel shows how countries back then (and now) use allies to do the dirty work—France used Spain to harass England without directly sinking their own king’s ships.
Naval Warfare Was a Messy Affair: Forget sleek maneuvers; think massive collisions, boarding parties, and lot of shouting. Naval battles weren’t about fancy ship designs—they were medieval wrecking balls with sails.
Early Spanish-English Rivalries: This battle was a prologue to centuries of fierce maritime competition that would heat up dramatically in the 16th century with the Armada—but don’t think the rivalry sprang from nowhere.
King Edward III, Medieval War Boss: This isn’t just a footnote; it highlights Edward’s hands-on approach and how important controlling the Channel was to medieval England's survival and prosperity.
On This Day... Remember Winchelsea!
So, next time you’re pondering naval history, remember Winchelsea—a battle filled with bravery, chaos, and enough medieval drama to make Game of Thrones fans jealous. It’s a wild reminder that history isn’t just kings and princesses but raucous brawls on the high seas.
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