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The naval battle of La Rochelle, Chronicle of Jean Froissart, 15th Century.
The naval Battle of La Rochelle took place on 22 June 1372 between a Castilian-French and an English fleet. The Castilians had 22 galerian ships while the English had 50 atlantic vessels. The French and Castilians decisively defeated the English, ending English control of the Channel for the first time since the Battle of Sluys in 1340.
The Castilian fleet, commanded by the Genoese Ambrosio Bocanegra, was sent to attack the English at La Rochelle, which was being besieged by French forces. Other Castilian commanders were Cabeza de Vaca, Fernando de Peón and the Basque Ruy Díaz de Rojas. The English fleet was commanded by John of Hastings, earl of Pembroke. On June 22, 1372 the fleets clashed, with disastrous results for the English.
Differing accounts from different historians exist about what actually transpired during the battle. These conflicts are mostly the work of nationalities; English, Spanish, and French historians described the battle in varying ways, emphasizing certain aspects but marginalizing others. Nevertheless, the victory was overwhelming: Pembroke was captured, along with 400 knights and 8,000 soldiers. In his return to Spain, Bocanegra captured four additional English ships.
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