A two pronged attack was planned on France, the fleet would harass the north coast of France and an expeditionary force would land in Northern Spain to jointly invade Guienne with Ferdinand's army. In 1512 the King made Sir Edward Howard "Admiral of the Sea during this voyage and enterprise to be made against the French King in Guyen". Sir Edward Howard was admiral on board the Mary Rose, with Thomas Wyndham filling the post of captain. These articles also contain directions against "frays" between the mariners and the sailors, as well as the playing of dice and cards, etc.(12) Some things never change.
The preparations for the war were recorded by the Bishop of Durham in a letter to Lord Darcy...
Is so busy setting forth of the King's army to the sea that he cannot write often. 10,000 men are being sent into Guienne under my Lord Marquis. Preparations are being made for their landing at Fontarabia. John Stile writes that they will be met by 10,000 men provided by the King of Aragon, of whom half are to be horse. Sir Edward Howard is gone to sea with 5,000 men very well appointed. My Lord Marquis is to be at Hampton to embark with all the army on 4th May; and the French King makes great preparation against them.(13)
The first task of the fleet was to obtain naval superiority in the English Channel and Henry notes in a letter to Cardinal Bainbridge dated 6th May... Has a fleet of 6,000 men at sea, who have already taken 12 Breton and French ships...(Sanuto, xiv., 267) The Venetians also noted the activities of the fleet... Thirty heavily armed ships keep the Channel, so that no French ship dare leave port.(14)
The troop ships bound for Spain sailed with the fleet acting as escort...
After leaving the Isle of Wight, on the 3 June, followed by Sir Edw. Howard to sea, to the coast of the Trade. Some of the company were separated from the Marquis 30 or 40 miles, in consequence of the ungoodly manners of the seamen, robbing the King's victuals when the soldiers were sea-sick.(15)
This expedition ended in farce; short of supplies, suffering from sickness and with discipline collapsing, the troops returned home in October. By using the English troops to menace Guienne, Ferdinand invaded Navarre without the threat of outside interference. A letter from Knight to Wolsey of the 5th of August captures the mood in the English camp well...
The army is idle; a large band has refused to serve under 8d a day. The mutiny was pacified; but one man suffered death. Many bands now declare that they will go home at Michaelmas, if they should die for it. All this comes from inaction. Martial exercises are not kept up. The army is "unlearned and hath not seen the feats of war." They never muster for payment. Many are slain; others have died; some have deserted. They neglect their instructions and "many of our council may suffer no counsel."
With Navarre in his hands, Ferdinand called a truce with the French on this front. Howard was more successful: returning from escort duties, he burned Conquet in Brittany...
The King's fleet under Lord Howard has recently distinguished itself by taking many of the enemy ships and invading his lands. For four days the English remained in Brittany, won several battles, slew many enemies, captured many knights and other gentlemen, burnt the towns and villages for thirty miles around and with their small force of 5,000 challenged 15,000 French and Bretons. The latter declined; saying that it was only by compulsion that they were defending the French King against the Pope. Since then Lord Howard was with the King at Hampton, where he is said to remain in consultation, retaining the fleet. He took many ships with wealth of various kinds and artillery sent by the French King to the Duke of Guelders, for an invasion of Flanders.(16)
Back to top