XXXVU1

PREFACE

A second squadron was afterwards fitted out under the commandof Robert d’Artois, consisting of forty-five sail. He encountereda Spanish fleet off Guernsey, consisting of thirty-two sail, nine ofthem very large. A conflict, which ended in a drawn battle,took place between them, and Edward again put himself at thehead of his fleet, but very soon after agreed to a truce.

1344 In this year, Edward declared Avar against France both by sea andland, and his commander, the earl of Derby, was very success-ful. In this year, the island of Madeira was discovered by oneMachan, an Englishman.

1346 Edward invaded France with a fleet of one thousand, or twelve

hundred ships, and landed at La Hogue.

1347 He besieged Calais, ■which was blockaded by sea by a fleet of seven

hundred sail. The list of this fleet is given by Hachluyt, from aroll or list extant in the king’s wardrobe; a copy of which rollis now preserved in the Cotton library.

The account of the force employed on this occasion, becomes the moreinteresting, from the circumstance not only of its affording thefirst specific information of the force and numbers of an English fleet,but because it contains very material internal evidence of the natureof the vessels employed, as well as their peculiar services. It standsalso as an incontrovertible proof, that the use of gallies was totallyabandoned, at least by the English.

The Sowth Flete.

I From an original MS. preserved is the Library belonging to the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury.]

Shipps XXVMarriners iiii'xix

The Kinge

London

Shipps xxvMarriners vi'lxii

Aileforde