Battle of Elba (Principia Moderni IV Map Game)

Battle of Elba Principia Moderni IV
Part of War of Neapolitan Succession
Date 5 May - 8 May, 1438 Location Elba, Milan Result Burgundian-Castillian victory
Belligerents
Duchy of Burgundy Crown of Castile	Duchy of Milan Republic of Genoa
Commanders and leaders
John de Luxembourg	Tomaso di Campofregoso
Strength
/ 300 ships	336 ships 500 ships
Casualties and losses
66 ships destroyed	555 ships destroyed or captured

The Battle of Elba was a massive naval engagement in May 1438 during the War of Neapolitan Succession. Involving a total of around 1,136 ships, it sits as the largest naval battle in history, and marked the high point in the fortunes of the French alliance.

Background

While Burgundian ground troops remained uncommitted during the Neapolitan Succession War, a detachment of its navy under the command of renowned admiral John de Luxembourg was sent to the Mediterranean to support the French and Castillian armies from the sea.

After linking up with a detachment from the Castillian Navy, it was decided to move south to north from the "toe" of Naples towards the Franco-Milanese border, intending to clear the coast of enemy warships and merchant ships before blockading important ports and cities such as Genoa and Nice.

The navies of Milan and Genoa, aware of the allied fleet's movement, had gathered to oppose that force. Once assembled, the 836 strong fleet departed and moved south.