In October, 1277, the king conducted an expedition against the Welsh, and was greatly assisted in obtaining possession of Anglesey by the co-operation of the Cinque Ports' fleet.[1] In 1279, he paid a brief visit to France, to confirm a treaty made between his father and Saint Louis.[2] In 1282, another expedition against Wales became necessary, and the Cinque Ports' fleet again co-operated. [3] In the course of the campaign, which terminated in the death of Llewellyn and the extinction of Welsh independence, a bridge of barges, boats, small ships, and planks was thrown by the English across the Menai Strait, to facilitate the attack upon the castle of Snowdon. But the success of the assailants was not uniform. On November 6th, the Welsh inflicted a severe defeat upon their enemies, following them to, and sinking, their boats, and drowning many knights and squires, and two hundred soldiers.[4]
On October 14th, 1286, Edward once more visited France[5] on a peaceful mission, chiefly in order to mediate between France and Castille. He did not return to England until 1289, when he landed at Dover on August 12th.[6]
During the three or four years that followed, no naval transactions of importance took place; but an event having far-reaching consequences occurred in 1293.
In that year, two of the crew of an English vessel landed for water at a port in Normandy,[7] and, encountering some Norman sailors, fell into a quarrel with them. In the fight which ensued one of the Englishmen was killed. The other, hotly pursued, fled to his ship, which put to sea, and was followed by many Norman vessels. It does not appear that this particular English ship was caught, but the pursuing force, a little later, met with six English vessels, and attacked and captured two of them, hanging the crews, together with some dogs, at the yard-arms,[8] and subsequently ravaging the Channel, and committing gross outrage.
The seamen of England retaliated at once, and without waiting for orders. The four ships which had escaped were joined by many
