Battle of La Rochelle

Battle of La Rochelle
Part of the Hundred Years' War
The naval battle of La Rochelle, Chronicle of Jean Froissart, 15th Century.
Date 22 June 1372 Location Coast and Port of La Rochelle Result Decisive French-Castilian victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of England	Crown of Castile Kingdom of France
Commanders and leaders
Earl of Pembroke	Ambrosio Bocanegra
Strength
~36 Carrack and 14 transport ships	~22 galerian ships
Casualties and losses
All ships sank.400 knights and 8,000 soldiers captured.	Minimum. Exact number unknown

The naval Battle of La Rochelle took place on 22 June 1372 between a Castilian-French and an English fleet. The Castilians had 22 galerian ships while the English had 50 atlantic vessels. The French and Castilians decisively defeated the English, ending English control of the Channel for the first time since the Battle of Sluys in 1340.

The Castilian fleet, commanded by the Genoese Ambrosio Bocanegra, was sent to attack the English at La Rochelle, which was being besieged by French forces. Other Castilian commanders were Cabeza de Vaca, Fernando de Peón and the Basque Ruy Díaz de Rojas. The English fleet was commanded by John of Hastings, earl of Pembroke. On June 22, 1372 the fleets clashed, with disastrous results for the English.

Differing accounts from different historians exist about what actually transpired during the battle. These conflicts are mostly the work of nationalities; English, Spanish, and French historians described the battle in varying ways, emphasizing certain aspects but marginalizing others. Nevertheless, the victory was overwhelming: Pembroke was captured, along with 400 knights and 8,000 soldiers. In his return to the Iberian Peninsula, Bocanegra captured four additional English ships.

External links

• Battle of La Rochelle (1372) and its consequences.