A History of the Navy by Nicholas Harris Volume 2

Edward's letter is the earliest dispatch containing an account of a Naval victory in existence ; and never were modesty and piety more beautifully displayed than in this interesting document: "Most Dear Son, We, considering well that you are desirous to hear good news of us, and how it has fared with us since our leaving England, have you to know, that the Thursday after our departure from the port of Orwell, we sailed all the day and the night following, and the Friday, about the hour of ' noune, ' we came on the coast of Flanders, off Blankenberg, where we had sight of the fleet of our enemies, which were all gathered together in the port of Swyne ; and as the tide did not then suit to meet them, we remained there all that night . The Saturday, the day of St. John, soon after the hour of 'noune,' with the tide, we, in the name of God, and in the confidence of our right quarrel, entered into the said port upon our enemies, who had placed their ships in very strong array, and which made a very noble defence all that day and the night after ; but God, by his power and miracle, granted us the victory over our said enemies, for which we thank him as devoutly as we can . And we have you to know, that the number of ships, galleys, and great barges of our enemies amounted to one hundred and ninety, which were all taken except twenty-four in all, which fled, and some of them were since taken at sea ; and the number of men-at-arms and other armed people amounted to thirty-five thousand, of which number, by estimation, five thousand escaped, and the remainder, as we are given to understand by some persons who are taken alive, lie dead in many places on the coast of Flanders . On the other hand, all our ships, that is to say, the ' Christopher, ' and the others which were lost at Middleburgh, are now retaken, and there are taken in this fleet three or four as large as the 'Christopher.' The Flemings were willing to have come to us at the battle, from the commencement to the end . Thus God our Lord has shewn abundant grace, for which we and all our friends are ever bound to render grace and thanks to Him . Our intention is to remain quiet in the river until we have made certain arrangements with our allies and other our friends of Flanders, as to what should be done . Most dear son, may God be keeper of you ! Given under our secret seal, in our ship-cog Thomas, Wednesday, the eve of St. Peter and St. Paul."