Battlefields›Sack of Rye, 1377

Medieval

Sack of Rye, 1377

Q: When did Sack of Rye, 1377 take place?

Sack of Rye, 1377 took place in 1377, in Sussex, England. French and Castilian forces landed on 29 June 1377 and sacked Rye, burning the town almost to the ground; only a few stone buildings (part of St Mary's church, the Ypres Tower and the Landgate) survived. No organised defence of Rye itself is recorded in the sources; nearby Winchelsea was successfully defended by a militia raised by Abbot Haimo of Battle Abbey. In early 1378 men of Rye and Winchelsea raided Normandy and recovered much of the plundered goods, including Rye's church bells.

Q: Who won Sack of Rye, 1377?

French and Castilian raiders was victorious. The defeated side was Rye (town). French and Castilian forces landed on 29 June 1377 and sacked Rye, burning the town almost to the ground; only a few stone buildings (part of St Mary's church, the Ypres Tower and the Landgate) survived. No organised defence of Rye itself is recorded in the sources; nearby Winchelsea was successfully defended by a militia raised by Abbot Haimo of Battle Abbey. In early 1378 men of Rye and Winchelsea raided Normandy and recovered much of the plundered goods, including Rye's church bells.

1377

Sussex, England

Era

Medieval

Battle Type

Raid

Location

Sussex, England

Status

Unregistered

The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated

Rye (town)

Victor

French and Castilian raiders

Outcome

French and Castilian forces landed on 29 June 1377 and sacked Rye, burning the town almost to the ground; only a few stone buildings (part of St Mary's church, the Ypres Tower and the Landgate) survived. No organised defence of Rye itself is recorded in the sources; nearby Winchelsea was successfully defended by a militia raised by Abbot Haimo of Battle Abbey. In early 1378 men of Rye and Winchelsea raided Normandy and recovered much of the plundered goods, including Rye's church bells.

The Battle

History & Significance

A medieval raid fought in 1377 near Sussex, England. Recorded strengths: French fleet of 120 ships (35 large royal vessels plus Castilian galleys), reportedly carrying 4,000-5,000 troops with sailors and oarsmen; size of Rye's defend….

Confirmed battlefield location

Casualties & Losses

Not recorded in the surviving sources

Forces Involved

French fleet of 120 ships (35 large royal vessels plus Castilian galleys), reportedly carrying 4,000-5,000 troops with sailors and oarsmen; size of Rye's defenders not recorded

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Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Sack of Rye, 1377

Ypres Tower and part of Rye Town Wall

Scheduled monument · ~0.2 miles

Water tower in churchyard

Scheduled monument · ~0.2 miles

Rye town walls

Scheduled monument · ~0.2 miles

Austin Friars Chapel

Scheduled monument · ~0.2 miles

Martello tower no 30, 300m east of Gate Borough Cottage

Scheduled monument · ~0.3 miles

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Battles near Sack of Rye, 1377

French Raid on Rye 1339

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French Raid on Rye 1406

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Battle of Winchelsea (1350)

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French Raid on Winchelsea 1406

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