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Nine Years' War: Battle of Beachy Head - French fleet under Tourville defeats Anglo-Dutch fleet under Cornelis Evertsen

Nine Years' War: Battle of Beachy Head - French fleet under Tourville defeats Anglo-Dutch fleet under Cornelis Evertsen in the English Channel near East Sussex [O.S. 30 June]

The Battle of Beachy Head, also known as the Battle of Bévéziers, was a fleet action fought on 10 July 1690 during the Nine Years' War. The battle was the most significant French naval victory over their Grand Alliance opponents during the war. The Dutch lost seven ships of the line and three fire ships. Their English allies also lost one ship of the line, whereas the French did not lose a single vessel. Control of the English Channel temporarily fell into French hands but French Vice-Admiral Anne Hilarion de Tourville failed to pursue the Anglo-Dutch fleet with sufficient vigour, allowing it to fall back to the Thames.

Tourville was criticised for not following up his victory and was relieved of his command.

Historical Significance

The Battle of Beachy Head, also known as the Battle of Bévéziers, was a fleet action fought on 10 July 1690 during the Nine Years' War.

Events Before

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  2. Parliament of England adopts the Bill of Rights, establishing the rights of Parliament and placing limits on the Crown

    The constitution of the United Kingdom comprises the written and unwritten arrangements that establish the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as a political body.

  3. Japanese poet Matsuo Bashō leaves Edo on his epic 150-day journey to Honshu Island in Japan, which he writes about in th

    Japanese poet Matsuo Bashō leaves Edo on his epic 150-day journey to Honshu Island in Japan, which he writes about in the literary masterpiece "Oku no Hosomichi" (The Narrow Road to the Deep North)

  4. Battle of Killiecrankie: Jacobite Scottish Highlanders under Viscount Dundee defeat royalist forces under General Hugh M

    Battle of Killiecrankie: Jacobite Scottish Highlanders under Viscount Dundee defeat royalist forces under General Hugh Mackay

  5. Lord Halifax becomes Speaker of the English House of Lords

    Lord Halifax becomes Speaker of the English House of Lords

Events After

  1. English King William III travels to The Hague

    English King William III travels to The Hague

  2. Thomas Neale granted English patent for American postal service

    Thomas Neale (1641–1699) was an English project-manager and politician who was also the first person to hold a position equivalent to postmaster-general of the North American colonies. Neale was a...

  3. French troops occupy Mons in the Spanish Netherlands after a siege during the Nine Years' War

    The Nine Years' War was a European great power conflict from 1688 to 1697 between France and the Grand Alliance.

  4. Pope Innocent XII succeeds Alexander VIII

    Pope Innocent XII (Latin: Innocentius XII; Italian: Innocenzo XII; 13 March 1615 – 27 September 1700), born Antonio Pignatelli, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 12...

  5. Antonio Pignatelli elected as Pope Innocentius XII

    Pope Innocent XII (Latin: Innocentius XII; Italian: Innocenzo XII; 13 March 1615 – 27 September 1700), born Antonio Pignatelli, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 12...

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on July 10, 1690?
The Battle of Beachy Head, also known as the Battle of Bévéziers, was a fleet action fought on 10 July 1690 during the Nine Years' War. The battle was the most significant French naval victory over their Grand Alliance opponents during the war. The Dutch lost seven ships of the line and three fire ships.
Why is Nine Years' War: Battle of Beachy Head - French fleet under Tourville defeats... significant?
The Battle of Beachy Head, also known as the Battle of Bévéziers, was a fleet action fought on 10 July 1690 during the Nine Years' War.

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July 10 in HistoryYear 1690