Battle of Saint-Mathieu

The naval Battle of Saint-Mathieu took place on 10 August 1512 during the War of the League of Cambrai, near Brest, France, between an English fleet of 25 ships commanded by Sir Edward Howard and a Franco-Breton fleet of 22 ships commanded by René de Clermont. It is possibly the first battle between ships using cannon through ports, although this played a minor role in the fighting. This was one of only two full-fledged naval battles fought by King Henry VIII's Tudor navy, along with the later Battle of the Solent. During the battle, each navy's largest and most powerful ship — the Regent and the Marie-la-Cordelière (or simply Cordelière) – were destroyed in a large explosion aboard the latter.

Battle of Saint-Mathieu
Part of the War of the League of Cambrai

Le Combat de la Cordelière contre une flotte anglaise, en 1512, au large de Saint-Mathieu, an 1838 painting of the battle by Pierre-Julien Gilbert showing later 16th century ships
Date10 August 1512
Location48.33°N 4.77°W / 48.33; -4.77
Result English victory
Belligerents
 France
Brittany
 England
Commanders and leaders
René de Clermont Edward Howard
Strength
22 warships
3 engaged
25 warships
3 engaged
Casualties and losses
1,230 killed
1 warship destroyed (exploded)
1 warship damaged
400 killed
1 warship destroyed (destroyed in the explosion)
2 warships damaged
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