French and British battleship design intent

French and British pre-dreadnought armament reflected different tactical problems. The Charles Martel type paired very heavy primary and secondary weapons for fighting armoured battleships at a range where only powerful guns could tell. The British alternative carried many smaller weapons suited to engaging cruisers and destroyers during a general fleet melee. Both remained broadside ships, underlining how the forward-fire lesson often associated with Lissa had not simply dictated every later design.