Edward I moves thousands of troops from Flint to Rhuddlan in August 1277, making a five-hour march a substantial movement problem. Twenty-five ships from the Cinque Ports fleet accompany the operation and supply his forces. The Cinque Ports hold special commercial privileges in return for providing ships when the king requests them, much as feudal lords owe soldiers. Flint is the first logistics base, with its castle under construction as work begins at the next base at Rhuddlan. The ships can reach that new position by river, an observation also used to illustrate their relatively small size. The campaign depends on this combination of marching troops, construction bases, and shipping obligations.
Chapter · 8:05-9:29
Flint, Rhuddlan, and Cinque Ports supply
Edward I's move from Flint to Rhuddlan becomes a combined land-and-water logistics operation, with twenty-five Cinque Ports ships supporting thousands of troops upriver.