A History of the Royal Navy (Volume 1); From the Earliest Times to the Wars of the French Revolution (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1847. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VIII. ACCESSION OF HENRY THE THIRD, DEFEAT OF THE FRENCH FLEET OFF DOVER. EXPEDITION TO POITOU, CAPTURE OF THE PORTUGUESE GREAT SHIP. PREPARATIONS TO RESIST AN INVASION. THE KING GOES TO BRITTANY. RETURNS TO ENGLAND.--LANDS IN GUIENNE. ENGLISH AND FRENCH FLEETS DISPERSED BY A STORM. -- PIRATICAL CONDUCT OF THE CINQUE PORTS. PIRATES IN THE ISLE OF LUNDY.--THE King's EXPEDITION TO GASCONY.-- CIVIL WARS. No English Monarch ever ascended the throne A. D. 1216. 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 Richard Earl of Pembroke, the Marshal, with the title of Guardian of the Kingdom,11 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.b 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 sea-fight worthy of the name between the a "Regis rector et regni An- Paris, 203. glias," Foedera, i. p. 246; Matt. b Matt. Paris, 204. 1216. 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 1217. memorable engagement are, that, soon after Henry's accession, the King's men of Ireland, who were with their ships on the coast of Normandy, were directed to come in his service to Winchelsea;b and that, on the 23rd of July 1217...