BattlefieldsFrench Raid on Winchelsea 1377
Medieval

French Raid on Winchelsea 1377

1377
East Sussex, England
Also known as: Winchelsea 1377 · Burning of Winchelsea 1377
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
East Sussex, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Winchelsea townspeople
Forces
Winchelsea townspeople c.100-200.
VS
Victor
French raiders
Forces
French raiders c.400-800
Outcome
Winchelsea burned; but English monks and townspeople rallied and drove the French back with some losses
The Battle

History & Significance

The French raid on Winchelsea in 1377 is remembered because the English townspeople — including the friars — actually counterattacked and inflicted losses on the raiders as they tried to leave. It was one of the few positive notes in an otherwise catastrophic year for the south coast. The Black Prince lay dying at Canterbury as these raids occurred.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around East Sussex

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near East Sussex