The naval Battle of the Counts took place on 23 June 1287 at Naples, Italy, when an Aragonese-Sicilian galley fleet commanded by Roger of Lauria defeated a large combined Angevin (Apulian and Principatan) galley fleet commanded respectively by Reynald III Quarrel and Narjot de Toucy. June 23 is the 174th day of the year (175th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 191 days remaining. ... For broader historical context, see 1280s and 13th century. ... Naples (Italian Napoli, Neapolitan Napule, from Greek Νέα Πόλις - Néa Pólis - meaning New City; see also List of traditional Greek place names) is the largest city in southern Italy and capital of Campania Region and the Province of Naples. ... Casus belli is a Latin expression from the international law theory of Jus ad bellum. ... History of Spain series Prehistoric Spain Roman Spain Medieval Spain - Visigoths - Al-Andalus - Age of Reconquest Age of Expansion Age of Enlightenment Reaction and Revolution First Spanish Republic The Restoration Second Spanish Republic Spanish Civil War The Dictatorship Transition to Democracy Modern Spain Topics Economic History Military History Social History... The Angevin Empire is a modern term applied retrospectively to the lands of Henry II of England, consisting of at their largest extent, the Kingdom of England and duchies or counties of Normandy, Anjou, Poitou, Maine, Gascony, Touraine, Béarn and Aquitaine; with Brittany, Wales, Toulouse, Scotland and Ireland held... Roger of Lauria Roger of Lauria, or Ruggero di Lauria (c. ... June 23 is the 174th day of the year (175th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 191 days remaining. ... For broader historical context, see 1280s and 13th century. ... Naples (Italian Napoli, Neapolitan Napule, from Greek Νέα Πόλις - Néa Pólis - meaning New City; see also List of traditional Greek place names) is the largest city in southern Italy and capital of Campania Region and the Province of Naples. ... A French galley and Dutch men-of-war off a port by Abraham Willaerts, painted 17th century. ... Roger of Lauria Roger of Lauria, or Ruggero di Lauria (c. ...

Lauria had taken his fleet to Augusta, eastern Sicily, after a report of an Angevin galley fleets landing invasion troops there. He landed his troops, who recaptured the town, leaving the Angevins holed up in the castle. However, the invasion was a decoy and the Angevin galleys had sailed around the south of Sicily and linked up with their allies, forming a fleet about twice the size of Lauria's. Their plan was to land troops in the south-west of Sicily. Sicilian disambiguates here; see also Sicilian language or Sicilian Defence. ... The main gatehouse of Harlech Castle, Wales. ...

Lauria searched for the allied fleet and finally found it at Naples. Unable to attack it close to the city he bombarded the nearby coast to lure it out, as he had done in 1284, and sent in a formal challenge. The Angevin fleet came out arranged in 5 squadrons, each commanded by a count (hence the name of the battle). They were Reynald III Quarrel of Avella, Hugh of Brienne, the Count of Aquila, Count Jean de Joinville and Count Guy of Montfort. Each of their flag-galleys was surrounded to each side by 4 other galleys and to the rear by 2 galleys. The fleet flag-galley had 2 galleys to it's front also. This made 63 galleys, and there may have been a small reserve since about 70 of the about 84 Angevin galleys are said to have come out to fight. 2 tarides carried the Papal and Angevin banners. Hugh, Count of Brienne (b c 1240. ...

Lauria had around 40-45 galleys. He followed his usual tactic and retreated until the Angevin galleys had become disorganized, weathered their initial attack, then counterattacked from the sides, damaging the Angevin galleys oars. In a battle lasting much of the day, Henry di Mari again fled, leaving about 40 Angevin galleys to be captured, along with 5000 prisoners, including many counts and barons.

Ships involved:

Aragon (Roger of Lauria)

40-45 galleys

Angevins

about 70 galleys - About 40 captured