In 1545 many islanders were feeling somewhat insecure as they looked out across the Chanel towards France, as the threat of invasion from the 30,000 troops and 200 French warships moored there was very real. Vigilance was the watchword and guards were ever ready to light the invasion beacons, as if lit it was hoped that support would come from all over the South Coast to assist and repel any invasion.  

As July 18th came to pass their worst fears materialised as the massive armada dropped anchor stretching from St Helens to Culver, the beacons were swiftly lit as it was now iminent that the French over the next few days would be coming ashore and bloody battles would ensue.

The Primary Naval Engagement ( Battle of the Solent)

During the opening gambits of the 18th July the French tried to tease the English Navy out of the safety of Portsmouth and shallow waters of the Spithead, and began running galleys in towards the English, to repel the English pushed out from Portsmouth with the flagships the "Mary Rose" and the "Henri Grace A Dieu" culminating in a fierce artillery duel with the French fleet. 

Mary Rose

The 19th was unfortunately to prove a bitter one for the English as just off Southsea the Mary Rose while manoeuvring after being hit from French fire was already badly holed and taking on water. Her lower gun ports were still open and began to run awash with even more water making her very unstable, This led very quickly with her keeling over to and unrecoverable angle an she sank with the loss of 650+ souls. During this time the Henri Grace A Dieu also began to suffer badly by French galley attacks and was only really saved by a force of English “row” barges taking on the French galleys in hand to hand bitter fighting. Gradually the two sides parted with no major advantage to either having been won.

Henri Grace A Dieu

The French then decided to back off from directly attacking the Portsmouth fleet, even though it was their primary goal, the defences put up by the British Navy were forcing them to fight too close inshore and this was giving the English superior advantage, so it was decided to sack the Island and burn the towns and villages in front of Henry VIII's eyes as he looked down on it from the heights of Portsmouth. The French reasoning being that this may well galvanise Henry into coming forward and fighting on more open terms of engagement, as the French would then be far better placed to bring their superior forces to bear. 

The Battle of Bonchurch

Thus as far the French commanders were concerned a fairly simple invasion of the island to achieve their goal was a forgone conclusion as they were not expecting much resistance from the Island’s small militia presence and farming community.

However, they had not bargained for the prowess of the Island’s commanders and their men.  Sir Richard Worlsey (Appludurcombe House) assisted by Sir Edward Bellingham and his staff were in command of 6000 men from the Island Hampshire and Wiltshire Militia. Initially on the day of the invasion they were spread across the Wight in the various garrison posts. 

With 850 + Wilshire Militia guarding the West Forts, there were some 250 labourers who were still building Henry VII's device fort at Sandown then known as Sandham Fort,  as the day moved on Worsley deployed rapidly two major companies of  men, 3000 under C.T. Wiherby at the base of Brading Down and 2800 + at a similar position on Boniface down. 
 
Thus the stage was now set for the invasion, D’Annebault the French Admiral  launched a three pronged attack across the South West from Bonchurch, through to Sandown on up to St Helens. At the same time seeing the approaches the English began to advance towards the enemy.

Pietro Strozzi an Italian mercenary sacked the fort at St Helens killing all and forcing the English repelling militia back across St Helens, Nettlestone and into Seaview setting fire to all and burning to the ground. 

Yaverland to Seaview Map

Colonel General Le Seigneur de Tais leading the southern French large force landed at Bonchurch and began to work inland,  they eventually came face to face with the strong defensive position of Hampshire company  and fierce fighting broke out, de Tais was brutal in his approach and kept his force pushing forward time and time again until the British line broke and they had to retreat.

At Sandown the French Attack was led by Marsay and Pierrebom two galley captains and they pushed forward directly to try and take the half built Sandown Castle, this by all accounts was a mistake as if they had moved further up towards Culver they could have come ashore and mounted the low cliffs at Yaverland they would have had superb open countryside to deploy into, thereby easily splitting the English forces by moving south to annihilate the Hampshire militia or north and west taking Ryde and Newport.

Thankfully both Worsley and Bellingham recognised the danger and pushed the main army rapidly to the beachhead at fort street. A bitter and frantic battle ensued with the French pinned down on the beachhead fighting spread from the castle to Yaverland. The welsh bows and pikemen proved devastating to the French and when both commanders fell back injured, the army leaderless broke up and were forced back into their boats to escape. The French landing forces were beaten and left major armour and arms strewn across the battlefield ready to be picked up and used against them in the next battle.  

On the Run

D’Annebault’s plan was now in tatters the second wave troops landed without orders and just plundered their way across to Yaverland and beyond burning as they went with no great purpose or commander giving them said.  Worsley and Bellingham gave chase forcing the French back from Yaverland and onto the side of Culver, they rallied a series of Horse cavalry together and charged the French on Culver , seeing cavalry coming toward them the French then broke and ran for Bembridge.

The French were now in a compete disarray and so D’Annebault recalled du Tais from Bonchurh to assist and he manged to force the English again back to the Yar, securing Bembridge and Culver. However, the English regrouped and again attacked pushing this time the French into the sea and driving then once and for all from the Island at Bembridge ledge. 

During the next few days the French fleet remained at rest, by this time D’Annebault reconsider the occupation of the Islands as not being worthwhile so the imminent danger was now passed.

There was one last slightly sad event, when Chevalier d’Aulps, Pierre de Blacas a galley commander went ashore with some men to get some badly needed fresh water, they quickly set upon and although begged for “ransom” as they could have been held for a farily large purse were shown no mercy and they had his brains literally bashed out as the English militia were in no mood for mercy.

The Rout

Not long after the French pulled up anchor and sailed East along the Chanel where they attacked Shoreham in Sussex before giving up completely and sailing back to France.

Peace was totally restored the following year at the Treaty of Ardres.