On This Day

English fleet destroys the French at the battle of Sluys (the Hundred Years' War)

The Battle of Sluys, also called the Battle of l'Écluse, was a naval battle fought on 24 June 1340 between England and France.

The Battle of Sluys, also called the Battle of l'Écluse, was a naval battle fought on 24 June 1340 between England and France. It took place in the roadstead of the port of Sluys (French Écluse), on a since silted-up inlet between Zeeland and West Flanders. The English fleet of 120–150 ships was led by Edward III of England and the 230-strong French fleet by the Breton knight Hugues Quiéret, Admiral of France, and Nicolas Béhuchet, Constable of France. The battle was one of the opening engagements of the Hundred Years' War.

Edward sailed from the River Orwell on 22 June and encountered the French blocking his way to Sluys harbour. The French had bound their ships into three lines, forming large floating fighting platforms.

Historical Significance

The Battle of Sluys, also called the Battle of l'Écluse, was a naval battle fought on 24 June 1340 between England and France.

Events Before

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    Otto the Merry, Duke of Austria, becomes Duke of Carinthia

  2. Ex-emperor Hanazono (95th Emperor of Japan) becomes a Zen priest

    Ex-emperor Hanazono (95th Emperor of Japan) becomes a Zen priest

  3. Italian Renaissance poet Francesco Petrarch famously climbs Mont Ventoux

    Italian Renaissance poet Francesco Petrarch famously climbs Mont Ventoux

  4. Jacob of Arteveld elected mayor of Ghent

    Jacob of Arteveld elected mayor of Ghent

  5. The six Electors of the Holy Roman Empire signed the Agreement of Rhense confirming Emperor Louis IV.

    The six Electors of the Holy Roman Empire signed the Agreement of Rhense confirming Emperor Louis IV.

Events After

  1. Petrarch crowned a poet on the Capitoline Hill in Rome

    Francis Petrarch, born Francesco di Petracco, was a scholar from Arezzo and poet of the early Italian Renaissance, as well as one of the earliest humanists. Petrarch's rediscovery of Cicero's letters...

  2. Sack of Saluzzo (Italy) by Italian-Angevine troops under Manfred V of Saluzzo

    Sack of Saluzzo (Italy) by Italian-Angevine troops under Manfred V of Saluzzo

  3. Count Hartmann II becomes the ruler of Vaduz, Liechtenstein

    Count Hartmann II becomes the ruler of Vaduz, Liechtenstein

  4. Fictional character of "The Hobbit" Bilbo Baggins returns to his home at Bag End, Shire Reckoning

    Fictional character of "The Hobbit" Bilbo Baggins returns to his home at Bag End, Shire Reckoning

  5. Pope Clement VI names John IV of Arkel as bishop of Utrecht

    Pope Clement VI names John IV of Arkel as bishop of Utrecht

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on June 24, 1340?
The Battle of Sluys, also called the Battle of l'Écluse, was a naval battle fought on 24 June 1340 between England and France. It took place in the roadstead of the port of Sluys (French Écluse), on a since silted-up inlet between Zeeland and West Flanders. The English fleet of 120–150 ships was led by Edward III of England and the 230-strong French fleet by the Breton knight Hugues Quiéret, Admiral of France, and Nicolas Béhuchet, Constable of France.
Why is English fleet destroys the French at the battle of Sluys (the Hundred Years' ... significant?
The Battle of Sluys, also called the Battle of l'Écluse, was a naval battle fought on 24 June 1340 between England and France.

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