England, France and Dunkirk, 1657–8

Abstract

The terms of the Anglo-French alliance provided for the capture of Dunkirk, or of Gravelines as a temporary substitute, during the campaign of 1657. Apart from its importance as a ‘pledge’ of French goodwill, the port was one of the main bases for the privateers who had been inflicting serious losses on English shipping. Its capture would also serve to prevent the Spaniards from lending troops or ships to the planned Royalist invasion which loomed nearer throughout 1657. The French, however, insisted on capturing all the inland towns guarding its approaches before they would invest it. This delay led to growing English suspicion and a belief that France was using the English expeditionary force to further its own aims in Artois.