DE BURGH'S VICTORY OFF DOVER

1217

No English monarch ever ascended the throne under more inauspicious circumstances than Henry the Third. He was only ten years of age; his capital and part of his dominions were in the hands of a French prince; and many of the most powerful of his subjects adhered to the foreign invader. The custody of the young King was entrusted to William, Earl of Pembroke, the Marshal, with the title of Guardian of the Kingdom, whose abilities, fidelity and prowess justified the confidence reposed in him.

In May, 1217, the decisive battle of Lincoln destroyed the hopes of Prince Louis, and of the English barons who had confederated with him. Soon after their discomfiture, the French fleet, which was coming to their assistance, was completely defeated; an event of the greatest interest, for it was the first regular seafight worthy of the name between the ships of England and France, and the precursor of that long series of victories which constitute the naval glory of Great Britain.

The only naval matters mentioned before that memorable engagement are, that, soon after Henry's accession, the King's men of Ireland, who were with the ships on the coast of Normandy, were directed to come in his service to Winchelsea; and that, on the 23rd of July, 1217, the Sheriff of Devonshire was commanded.

to provide ships at the King's cost, to convey Isabel, the widow of King John, so that she might pass honourably to her own country.

As soon as the news of Louis' defeat at Lincoln reached France, Robert de Courtenay collected an army for his assistance, which embarked at Calais in a fleet of eighty ships besides galleys and smaller vessels, under the command of the famous Eustace the Monk; and on the 24th of August they put to sea, intending to proceed up the Thames to London.

Hubert de Burgh, the King's Justiciary and Governor of Dover Castle, impressed with the necessity of preventing this formidable force from landing, immediately took measures for that purpose. Addressing the Bishop of Winchester, the Marshal, and other great personages, he said, "If these people land, England is lost; let us therefore boldly meet them, for God is with us, and they are excommunicate." His ardour was not, however, shared by his audience, who replied, "We are not sea-soldiers, nor pirates, nor fishermen go thou and die." Not discouraged by this answer, De Burgh sent for his chaplain, and having hastily taken the sacrament, he with an emphatic oath thus enjoined the garrison to defend their post: "Ye shall suffer me to be hanged before ye surrender the Castle, for it is the key of England.” Affected to tears by the exhortation, and still more by the fate which seemed to await their chief, they pledged themselves to obey his commands. Another writer gives rather a different account: he states that when the French fleet were seen by the people of the Cinque Ports, knowing it to be commanded by Eustace the Monk, they said, "If this tyrant land, he will lay all waste, for the country is not protected, and our King is far away. Let us therefore put our souls into our hands, and meet him while he is at sea, and help

will come to us from on high." Upon which some one exclaimed, "Is there any among you who is ready to die for England?" and was answered by another, "Here am I." The first speaker then observed, “Take with thee an axe, and when thou seest us engaging the tyrant's ship, climb up the mast, and cut down the banner, that the other vessels may be dispersed from the want of a leader." Sixteen large and well-armed ships, manned with skilful seamen belonging to the Cinque Ports, and about twenty smaller vessels, formed the English squadron. Assembling some of the bravest of his knights, among whom were Sir Philip d'Albini, Sir Henry de Turberville, Sir Richard Suard, and Sir Richard, a son of King John, De Burgh led them to the ships, and immediately put to sea.

The enemy were at some distance from Calais when the English sailed; but all the accounts of the engagement are defective in nautical details, while the few that do occur are very obscurely expressed. It appears that the wind was southerly, blowing fresh; and that the French were going large, steering to round the North Foreland, little expecting any opposition. The English squadron, instead of directly approaching the enemy, kept their wind as if going to Calais; which made Eustace, the French commander, exclaim, "I know that these wretches think to invade Calais like thieves, but that is useless, for it is well defended!" As soon as the English had gained the wind of the French fleet, they bore down in the most gallant manner upon the enemy's rear; and, the moment they came close to the sterns of the French ships, they threw grapnels into them, and, thus fastening the vessels together, prevented the enemy from escaping-an early instance of that love of close fighting for which English sailors have ever since been distinguished.

The action commenced by the cross-bow men and archers under Sir Philip d'Albini pouring volleys of arrows into the enemy's ships with deadly effect; and, to increase their dismay, the English threw unslaked lime, reduced to a fine powder, on board their opponents, which, being blown by the wind into their eyes, completely blinded them. The English then rushed on board; and cutting away the rigging and haulyards with axes, the sails fell over the French, to use the expression of the chronicler, "like nets upon ensnared small birds." Thus hampered, the enemy could make but a feeble resistance; and, after an immense slaughter, were completely defeated.

Other narratives supply a few additional details. The English ships, it is said, kept their wind, instead of advancing at once toward the French fleet, from natural hesitation to attack so greatly superior a force; but animated by recollecting the recent affair of Lincoln, "in which a few had vanquished great numbers," they determined to give them battle. Though the French fought with great bravery, very few among them were accustomed to naval tactics; and they fell rapidly under the lances, axes and swords of their assailants.

In the meantime many of their vessels had been sunk by the galleys, which, running their iron prows into them, stove their sides. Disdaining to be taken alive, or, as the chroniclers more probably state, dreading to fall into the hands of the English-for it was the custom to treat prisoners with great severity, that they might be induced to pay exorbitant sums for their ransomseveral of the French knights leapt into the sea. their whole fleet, only fifteen vessels escaped; and, as soon as the principal persons had been secured, the English took the captured ships in tow. They thus proceeded in triumph to Dover; and, while "victoriously

Of

ploughing the waves they returned thanks to God for their success, an example of religious gratitude after a battle which has been so properly followed on many occasions in modern times.

It was the first object of the victors to find Eustace the Monk, and a strict search being made, he was discovered hidden in the hold of one of the prizes. His offer of a large sum of money for his life, and his promise to serve the King of England faithfully in future were alike disregarded. To his other crimes he added that of treason to King John; and Sir Richard, the son of that monarch, seizing him, exclaimed, "Base traitor, never shall you again seduce any one by your fair promises!" and, drawing his sword, struck off his head, which was afterwards exhibited on a pole throughout England.

The battle was seen with exultation by the garrison of Dover Castle; and the conquerors were received by the bishops and clergy in full sacerdotal habits, bearing crosses and banners in procession, and chanting thanksgiving and praises for their unexpected success. "The spoils of the ships, which consisted of gold, silver, silk vestments, and weapons of all kinds, having been collected, and the prisoners, who were loaded with heavy chains, disposed of, Sir Philip d'Albini dispatched an account of the victory to the King, who glorified God for the success He had vouchsafed to his arms." Besides Robert de Courtenay, William de Baris, Ralph de Tornellis, and other distinguished persons, the English captured one hundred and twenty-five knights and more than a thousand soldiers of inferior rank. The loss sustained by the English is nowhere mentioned, but it does not appear to have been great.

Upon the preceding statements it is unnecessary to make many comments. Though the ships, compared