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Attack on Brighthelmstone (Brighton) by French raiders
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Attack on Brighthelmstone (Brighton) by French raiders
Attack made by French raiders on the village of Brighthelmstone (Brighton, Sussex) in June 1514. Almost every building was burnt to the ground.
1514
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Media ID 14399962
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1510s 1514 Attack Attacking Brighton Drawn Hove Maps Raiders Brighthelmstone Smith
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Attack on Brighthelmstone (Brighton), 1514: A Historical Narrative In the tranquil waters of the English Channel, off the south coast of England, a formidable French fleet was assembling. The year was 1514, and King Louis XII of France, in an audacious move, had dispatched a powerful armada to raid the coastal towns of Sussex. Among the prime targets was the quaint and prosperous village of Brighthelmstone, later known as Brighton. The print depicts the chaotic scene that unfolded on that fateful day in June. French raiders, drawn from the ships anchored off the coast, stormed the village, their swords and firearms at the ready. The terrified inhabitants, many of whom had taken refuge in the local church, watched in horror as their homes and businesses were systematically looted and set ablaze. The print, created in the 1510s, offers a vivid and dramatic account of the attack. The ships in the foreground, their sails billowing in the wind, are shown bearing down on the village, their cannons trained on the hapless defenders on the shore. In the background, smoke rises from the burning buildings, and the desperate inhabitants, some carrying their belongings, flee towards the sea. The church, a prominent feature of the village, is shown engulfed in flames, its spire collapsing under the relentless onslaught. The print also reveals the presence of a small fortification, perhaps a watchtower, on the beach, which had offered some resistance to the invaders. The attack on Brighthelmstone was a stark reminder of the vulnerability of the English coast to foreign raiders. It also underscored the need for a more robust defense system to protect the realm from such incursions. The memory of this event would live on in the annals of English history, a testament to the resilience and determination of the people of Brighton and Sussex in the face of adversity.
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