Editing Edward III of England (section)

=== Sluys ===
In 1337, [[Philip VI of France]] confiscated the English king's [[Duchy of Aquitaine]] and the [[Count of Ponthieu|county of Ponthieu]]. Instead of seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict by paying homage to the French king, as his father had done, Edward responded by [[English claims to the French throne|laying claim]] to the French crown as the grandson of [[Philip IV of France]].{{Efn|Edward did not officially assume the title "[[List of English monarchs|King of England and France]]" until January 1340, partly to reassure his allies on the continent.{{Sfn|Allmand|1988|p=13}}}} The French rejected this based on the precedents for [[Patrilineality|agnatic succession]] set in 1316 and 1322 and upheld the rights of Philip IV's nephew Philip VI, leading to tensions that caused the [[Hundred Years' War]].{{Sfn|Sumption|1999|p=106}} In the early stages of the war, Edward's strategy was to build alliances with other Continental rulers. In 1338, [[Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor]], named Edward [[Vicar general]] of the [[Holy Roman Empire]] and promised his support.{{Sfn|Rogers|2000|p=155}} As late as 1373, the [[Anglo-Portuguese Treaty of 1373]] established an [[Anglo-Portuguese Alliance]]. These measures produced few results.{{Sfn|McKisack|1959|pp=128–129}}

The only major military victory during this phase of the war was the English naval victory at [[Battle of Sluys|Sluys]] on 24 June 1340, which secured control of the [[English Channel]].{{Sfn|McKisack|1959|pp=128–129}} This victory decimated a superior French fleet and lowered the threat of a French invasion of England, which increased English desires to attack France. This situation lasted less than a year. Edward was unlikely to have been happy with this victory due to his continuing financial problems.{{Sfn|Allmand|1988|p=13}} The English also captured 166 French merchantmen; they had been raiding the south coast of England for several years and were unpopular amongst English sailors. Up to 16,000 French sailors were killed and French captain, [[Nicolas Béhuchet]] – who could otherwise have expected to be [[ransom]]ed – was hanged from his own [[Yard (sailing)|yardarm]].{{sfn|Cushway|2011|p=98}} Edward saw God's hand in his victory and a triumphal coin was struck in commemoration – showing Edward in a ship, probably meant to be Béhuchet's own – and the King gained a reputation as a naval warrior.{{sfn|Cushway|2011|p=99}}{{efn|Although Edward fought at Sluys, he did not command the navy; his admiral was [[Robert Morley, 2nd Baron Morley|Robert Morley]], who was greatly rewarded for his seamanship in money, grants and a large pension, indicating that Edward recognised the debt Morley was owed.{{sfn|Cushway|2011|pp=99–100}}}}