Prize incentives drove the merchant companies forward

Merchant-company contracts rewarded captured ships, armor, valuables, food, and drink, giving the English crews a direct stake in victory. The incentives were strong enough that Edward had to assure captains their prizes would be guarded while they resumed combat. Royal ships were used to police captured vessels, so command had to align private profit with continued tactical effort. These merchant contracts anticipated the later naval prize system and its durable link between private gain and state warfare.