HISTORIC VICTORY OVER THE FRENCH
The English victory at the Battle of Sandwich in 1217 was one of the most important in British history. Without it, the country would have been ruled by a French king. The situation arose as a result of conflict between King John and England’s ruling class of barons after John reneged on his Magna Carta commitment to afford them certain rights. The barons plotted with Louis, the son of the French king, to take the crown. But after John died in 1216, the majority of barons supported John’s son Henry III, who was then only nine years old. However, Louis had arrived in London, and fighting continued as he awaited reinforcements. On August 24, St Bartholomew’s Day, a French fleet of 80 ships advanced on the Kent coast, led by a mercenary called Eustace the Monk and the military commander Robert de Courtenay. An English fleet was assembled, commanded by Hubert de Burgh, and sailed from Sandwich to meet the French. Despite being outnumbered two to one, the English ships used the wind to their advantage and overpowered the French with quicklime and arrows. Eustace was beheaded and de Courtenay captured. Louis renounced his claim, and England’s independence was secured. Back in Sandwich, the victors paraded through the town with their spoils. Looted French money was used to build the Chapel of St Bartholomew and to support the pilgrims’ hostel already on the site. The battle is commemorated today by local children, who race around the chapel for the prize of a bun, a symbol of hospitality.