Although the History of the French Navy goes back to the Middle Ages, when it was defeated by the English at the Battle of Sluys and with Castilian help, managed to beat the English at La Rochelle, its history can be said to effectively begin with Richelieu under Louis XIII. Since the establishment of her present territory, France had to face three major challenges on the naval level: two sea sides, which force to keep two naval forces and divide resources between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean; Political and strategic interests on the East border and the continent, which creates a tendency to emphasise land forces; A tendency to neglectful administrations, unable to withstand the sustained efforts necessary to keep an effective navy. This created a series of brilliant eras followed by disasters.