Battle of Cadsand

Timeline

1. 1337Southeastern English ports · EnglandAfter Edward III claimed the French throne and formally declared war on France in 1337, he planned to weaken French Flanders through naval raids. Sir Walter de Manny was ordered to lead a fleet from England, targeting the island of Cadsand; the French noble Robert of Artois, in exile at the English court, advocated using a landing fleet to foment rebellion in Flanders and took part in planning this operation.
2. 1337Island of Cadsand · Low CountriesEnglish troops landed on Cadsand, plundering the area, burning warehouses and seizing supplies and ships. Guy of Flanders, commander of the garrison at Sluys (an illegitimate son of the Count of Flanders), led his men across the sea to attack, only to be routed by the English: Guy was captured, his forces nearly annihilated, and English losses were slight.
3. 1337–1338Island of Cadsand · Low CountriesAfter victory, Manny led his army off the island and back to England with the loot, not lingering long. Philip VI mistakenly believed the defeat was due to Flemish collusion with the enemy and executed a large number of local nobles, thereby alienating his allies. Though limited in scale, this battle demonstrated England's strategy of harassing Flanders through naval mobility and set a precedent for later, larger expeditions.