2-376-529 - Historica Graphica Collection/Heritage Images

Battle of Sluys, 1340. Declaring war on Philip VI of France, Edward III of England (1312-1377) began what would become the Hundred Years War with a naval victory at the Battle of Sluys. The battle saw the destruction of the French fleet, eliminating the threat of a French invasion of England and ensuring that the war would be fought on French soil.