On this day in 1338, the naval battle of Arnemuiden was fought.

It was at the start of the Hundred Years’ War between England and France and was the first recorded European naval battle using artillery. The English ship Christopher had three cannons and one handgun.

The battle featured a vast French fleet under admirals Hugues Quiéret and Nicolas Béhuchet against a small squadron of five great English cogs transporting an enormous cargo of wool to Antwerp, where Edward III of England was hoping to sell it.

The French captured the rich cargo, took the five cogs into their fleet and massacred the English prisoners.