British Rise to Naval Dominance Began in 14th Century

On August 29, 1350, the British naval fleet under King Edward III defeated the Castilian fleet at the Battle of Winchelsea in the British Channel after the Castilian fleet had previously attacked and captured British trade ships. Although not establishing naval dominance over the Spanish for good, this battle showed that the British took naval threats seriously and would meet the enemy head on to protect its ships and coastlines. The Battle of Winchelsea precursed what would become a massive British victory against the Spanish Armada in 1588.