England was at war with France between 1511 and 1514. This 16th century painting (which you can see in the British Museum) is believed to show the attack on Brighton in June 1514 by French raiders led by Admiral Prégnant (nick-named Prior John). You can see the rectangular shape of the little fishing village with the church to the North West of the Northern boundary (North Street). Brighthelmstone was burned to the ground. Only Saint Nicholas's Church survived the attack.
Normandy in France was later raided by the English commander, Sir John Wallop. 21 French towns and villages were burnt. Both France and England raided other countries in competition to control the seas and extend their empires, just as the Romans and the Vikings had done many years earlier.