Robert Blake
(August 1599 – August 17, 1657)
Robert Blake, General at Sea, 1598–1657 by Henry Perronet Briggs, painted 1829
Nickname	"Father of the Royal Navy"
Place of birth	Bridgwater
Place of death	At sea off Plymouth
Allegiance	Commonwealth of England
Service/branch	Royal Navy
Years of service	1649 to 1657
Rank	General at Sea
Battles/wars	English Civil War, First Anglo-Dutch War,Bey of Tunis, Anglo-Spanish War
Relations	Joseph Blake,

Robert Blake (1599 — August 17, 1657) was one of the most important military commanders of the Commonwealth of England, and one of the most famous English admirals of the 17th century. There have been several notable individuals with the name Robert Blake: Robert Blake (admiral) (1599 - 1657) Robert Blake, Baron Blake (1916-2003), British historian Robert Blake (actor), (born 1933), of TVs Baretta Robert Blake (management), developed the Managerial Grid Model. ... Year 1599 was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... is the 229th day of the year (230th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events January 8 - Miles Sindercombe, would-be-assassin of Oliver Cromwell, and his group are captured in London February - Admiral Robert Blake defeats the Spanish West Indian Fleet in a battle over the seizure of Jamaica. ... Download high resolution version (700x1141, 95 KB)Robert Blake, General at Sea, 1599–1657 by Henry Perronet Briggs, painted 1829 The two-dimensional work of art depicted in this image is in the public domain in the United States and in those countries with a copyright term of life of... Events January 7 - Boris Godunov seizes the throne of Russia following the death of his brother-in-law, Tsar Feodor I. April 13 - Edict of Nantes - Henry IV of France grants French Huguenots equal rights with Catholics. ... Events January 8 - Miles Sindercombe, would-be-assassin of Oliver Cromwell, and his group are captured in London February - Admiral Robert Blake defeats the Spanish West Indian Fleet in a battle over the seizure of Jamaica. ... Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 1829 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... , Bridgwater in Somerset, England, is a market town, the administrative centre of the Sedgemoor district, and the leading industrial town in the county. ... This article is about the city in England. ... Motto: PAX QUÆRITUR BELLO (English: Peace is sought through war) Anthem: Multiple unofficial anthems Capital London Language(s) English Government Republic Lord Protector  - 1649-1658 Oliver Cromwell Legislature Rump Parliament Barebones Parliament History  - Declaration of Commonwealth May 19, 1649  - Declaration of Breda April 4, 1660 Area 130,395... Image File history File links Naval_Ensign_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... This article is about the navy of the United Kingdom. ... For other uses, see English Civil War (disambiguation). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Joseph Blake, the nephew of British Admiral Robert Blake, was Governor of South Carolina in 1694 (chosen by the council), and from 1696 to 1700. ... Year 1599 was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... is the 229th day of the year (230th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events January 8 - Miles Sindercombe, would-be-assassin of Oliver Cromwell, and his group are captured in London February - Admiral Robert Blake defeats the Spanish West Indian Fleet in a battle over the seizure of Jamaica. ... Motto: PAX QUÆRITUR BELLO (English: Peace is sought through war) Anthem: Multiple unofficial anthems Capital London Language(s) English Government Republic Lord Protector  - 1649-1658 Oliver Cromwell Legislature Rump Parliament Barebones Parliament History  - Declaration of Commonwealth May 19, 1649  - Declaration of Breda April 4, 1660 Area 130,395...

Blake was one of thirteen siblings born to a merchant in Bridgwater, Somerset, where he attended Bridgwater Grammar School For Boys. After attending Wadham College, Oxford, he had hoped to follow an academic career, but failed to secure a fellowship to Merton College, probably because of his political and religious views. Having returned to Bridgwater, probably because of the death of his mother in 1638, he decided to stand for election to Parliament. , Bridgwater in Somerset, England, is a market town, the administrative centre of the Sedgemoor district, and the leading industrial town in the county. ... This article is about the county of Somerset in England. ... College name Wadham College Named after Nicholas Wadham Established 1610 Sister College Christs College Warden Sir Neil Chalmers JCR President Ben Jasper Undergraduates 460 MCR President David Patrikarakos Graduates 180 Homepage Boatclub Wadham College is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England, located at the southern... The University of Oxford (informally Oxford University), located in the city of Oxford, England, is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. ... and of the Merton College College name The House of Scholars of Merton Named after Walter de Merton Established 1264 Sister college Peterhouse, Cambridge Warden Prof. ... Events March 29 - Swedish colonists establish first settlement in Delaware, called New Sweden. ... The English parliament in front of the King, c. ...

In politics

In 1640 Blake was elected as the Member of Parliament for Bridgwater in the Short Parliament. When the English Civil War broke out during the period of the Long Parliament, and having failed to be re-elected, Blake began his military career on the side of the parliamentarians despite having no substantial experience of military or naval matters. Events December 1 - Portugal regains its independence from Spain and João IV of Portugal becomes king. ... The English parliament in front of the King, c. ... The Short Parliament (April 13-May 5, 1640) of King Charles I is so called because it lasted only three weeks. ... For other uses, see English Civil War (disambiguation). ... The Long Parliament is the name of the English Parliament called by Charles I, in 1640, following the Bishops Wars. ... The Roundheads was the nickname given to the supporters of Parliament during the English Civil War. ...

He would later return to serve in the Barebones Parliament of 1653 for some months when recovering from an injury sustained in the Battle of Portland, before returning to sea. The Barebones Parliament came into being on July 4, 1653. ... Events February 2 - New Amsterdam (later renamed New York City) is incorporated. ... The Battle of Portland, also known as the Three Days Battle, was a naval battle of the First Anglo-Dutch War. ...

On land

Blake's most famous exploits on land were at the Siege of Bristol (July 1643), Siege of Lyme (April 1644), Siege of Taunton (1645) and the Siege of Dunster (November 1645). At Taunton he famously declared that he would eat four pairs of boots before he would surrender. // Events January 21 - Abel Tasman discovers Tonga February 6 - Abel Tasman discovers the Fiji islands. ... // Events February to August - Explorer Abel Tasmans second expedition for the Dutch East India Company maps the north coast of Australia. ... The Siege of Taunton was a siege of the English Civil War. ... // Events January 10 - Archbishop Laud executed on Tower Hill, London. ... // Events January 10 - Archbishop Laud executed on Tower Hill, London. ...

At sea

Blake was appointed General at Sea (a rank corresponding to Admiral) in 1649, and is often referred to as the "Father of the Royal Navy". As well as being largely responsible for building the largest navy the country had then ever known, from a few tens of ships to well over a hundred, he was first to keep a fleet at sea over the winter. He developed new techniques to conduct blockades and landings; his "Sailing instructions" and "Fighting Instructions", which were major overhauls of naval tactics written while recovering from injury in 1653, were the foundation of English Naval tactics in the Age of Sail. He was also the first to repeatedly successfully attack despite fire from shore forts. For other uses, see Admiral (disambiguation). ... // Events January 30 - King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland is beheaded. ... Naval tactics is the collective name for methods of engaging and defeating an enemyship or fleet in battle at sea, the naval equivalent of military tactics on land. ... Events February 2 - New Amsterdam (later renamed New York City) is incorporated. ... Naval tactics in the Age of Sail were used from the early 1600s when sailing ships replaced oared galleys to the 1860s when steam-powered ironclad warships rendered sailing line of battle ships obsolete. ...

English Civil War

See also English Civil War

On January 11 1649 Prince Rupert of the Rhine led 8 undermanned ships to Kinsale in Ireland in an attempt to prevent the Parliamentarians taking Ireland from the Royalists. Blake blockaded Rupert's fleet in Kinsale from May 22, allowing Oliver Cromwell to land at Dublin on August 15. Blake was driven off by a storm in October and Rupert escaped via Spain to Lisbon, where Rupert had expanded his fleet to 13 ships. Blake put to sea with 12 ships in February 1650 and dropped anchor off Lisbon in an attempt to persuade the Portuguese king to expel Rupert. After 2 months the king decided to back Rupert. Blake was joined by another 4 warships commanded by Edward Popham, who brought authority to go to war with Portugal. For other uses, see English Civil War (disambiguation). ... // Events January 30 - King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland is beheaded. ... For other uses, see Prince Rupert (disambiguation). ... The Roundheads was the nickname given to the supporters of Parliament during the English Civil War. ... Prince Rupert of the Rhine Cavaliers was the name used by Parliamentarians for the Royalist supporters of King Charles I during the English Civil War (1642–1651). ... Oliver Cromwell (25 April 1599 – 3 September 1658) was an English military and political leader best known for his involvement in making England into a republican Commonwealth and for his later role as Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland. ... Year 1650 (MDCL) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ...

Rupert twice failed to break the blockade, which was finally raised after Blake sailed for Cádiz with 7 ships he captured as a result of a three-hour engagement with 23 ships of the Portuguese fleet, during which the Portuguese Vice-Admiral was also sunk. Blake re-engaged with Rupert, now with 6 ships, on November 3 near Málaga, capturing 1 ship. Two days later the other of Rupert's ships in the area were driven ashore attempting to escape from Cartagena, securing Parliamentarian supremacy at sea, and the recognition of the Parliamentary government by many European states. Parliament voted Blake 1000 pounds by way of thanks in February 1651. In June of the same year Blake captured the Isles of Scilly, the last outpost of the Royalist navy, for which he again received Parliament's thanks. Soon after he was made a member of the Council of State. Location Location of Cádiz Coordinates : Time Zone : General information Native name Cádiz (Spanish) Spanish name Cádiz Postal code – Website http://www. ... GBP redirects here. ... // Events January 1 - Charles II crowned King of Scotland in Scone. ... Scilly redirects here. ... In the United Kingdom, Counsellors of State are senior members of the British royal family to whom Queen Elizabeth II delegates certain state functions and powers when she is abroad or unavailable for other reasons (such as short-term incapacity or sickness). ...

Thanks to its command of the sea, the fleet was able to supply Cromwell's army with provisions as it successfully marched on Scotland. By the end of 1652 the various English colonies in the Americas had also been secured. // Events April 6 - Dutch sailor Jan van Riebeeck establishes a resupply camp for the Dutch East India Company at the Cape of Good Hope, and founded Cape Town. ... World map showing the Americas The Americas are the lands of the Western hemisphere historically considered to consist of the continents of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions. ...

First Anglo-Dutch War

See also First Anglo-Dutch War

Blake's next adventures were during the First Anglo-Dutch War. The war started prematurely with a skirmish between the Dutch fleet of Maarten Tromp and Blake off Folkestone on 29 May 1652, the Battle of Goodwin Sands. The proper war started in June with an English campaign against the Dutch East Indies, Baltic and fishing trades by Blake, in command of around 60 ships. On 5 October 1652 Dutch Vice-Admiral Witte Corneliszoon de With, underestimating the strength of the English, attempted to attack Blake, but due to the weather it was Blake who attacked on 8 October 1652 in the Battle of the Kentish Knock, sending de With back to the Netherlands in defeat. The English government seemed to think that the war was over and sent ships away to the Mediterranean. Blake had only 42 warships when he was attacked and decisively defeated by 88 Dutch ships under Tromp on 9 December 1652 in the Battle of Dungeness, losing control of the English Channel to the Dutch. Meanwhile the ships sent away had also been defeated in the Battle of Leghorn. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Image:Marten Harpertszoon Tromp. ... is the 149th day of the year (150th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... // Events April 6 - Dutch sailor Jan van Riebeeck establishes a resupply camp for the Dutch East India Company at the Cape of Good Hope, and founded Cape Town. ... The Battle of Goodwin Sands (also known as the Battle of Dover), fought on 29 May 1652, was the first engagement of the First Anglo-Dutch War between the Commonwealth of England and the United Provinces of the Netherlands. ... For other uses, see 5th October (Serbia). ... // Events April 6 - Dutch sailor Jan van Riebeeck establishes a resupply camp for the Dutch East India Company at the Cape of Good Hope, and founded Cape Town. ... Witte Corneliszoon de With (28 March 1599-8 November 1658) was a Dutch naval officer of 17th century. ... is the 281st day of the year (282nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... // Events April 6 - Dutch sailor Jan van Riebeeck establishes a resupply camp for the Dutch East India Company at the Cape of Good Hope, and founded Cape Town. ... This painting, Action between ships in the First Dutch War, 1652–1654 by Abraham Willaerts, may depict the Battle of the Kentish Knock. ... The Mediterranean Sea is an intercontinental sea positioned between Europe to the north, Africa to the south and Asia to the east, covering an approximate area of 2. ... is the 343rd day of the year (344th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... // Events April 6 - Dutch sailor Jan van Riebeeck establishes a resupply camp for the Dutch East India Company at the Cape of Good Hope, and founded Cape Town. ... The naval Battle of Dungeness took place on 10 December 1652 during the First Anglo-Dutch War near the cape of Dungeness in Kent. ... The Battle of Leghorn, 14 March 1653 by Willem Hermansz van Diest, painted mid-17th century The naval Battle of Leghorn (also known as the Battle of Livorno) took place on 14 March 1653, during the First Anglo-Dutch War, near Leghorn (Livorno), Italy. ...

Following a major reorganisation of the navy, Blake sailed with around 75 ships to disrupt Channel shipping, engaging Tromp with a similar sized fleet in the Battle of Portland from 28 February to 2 March 1653 when Tromp escaped with his convoy under cover of darkness. The Battle of Portland, also known as the Three Days Battle, was a naval battle of the First Anglo-Dutch War. ... is the 59th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... -1... Events February 2 - New Amsterdam (later renamed New York City) is incorporated. ...

At the Battle of the Gabbard on 12 June and 13 June 1653, Blake reinforced the ships of Generals Richard Deane and George Monck and decisively defeated the Dutch fleet, sinking or capturing 17 ships without losing one. Now also the North Sea was brought under English control, and the Dutch fleet was blockaded in various ports until finally losing at the Battle of Scheveningen, where Tromp was killed. The Battle of the Gabbard, 12 June 1653 by Heerman Witmont, shows the Dutch flagship Brederode, left, in action with the English ship Tredagh, the later HMS Resolution. ... is the 163rd day of the year (164th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 164th day of the year (165th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Richard Deane, 1610–1653, General at Sea by Robert Walker, painted c. ... George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle by Sir Peter Lely, painted 1665–1666. ... The North Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean, located between the coasts of Norway and Denmark in the east, the coast of the British Isles in the west, and the German, Dutch, Belgian and French coasts in the south. ... The Battle of Scheveningen, 10 August 1653 by Jan Abrahamsz Beerstraaten, painted c. ...

Peace with the Dutch achieved, Blake sailed in October 1654 with 24 warships to the Mediterranean, successfully deterring the Duke of Guise from conquering Naples. Events April 5 - Signing of the Treaty of Westminster, ending the First Anglo-Dutch War. ... Henry II, 5th Duke of Guise (Paris, April 4, 1614 – June 2, 1664, Paris) was the second son of Charles, Duke of Guise and Henriette Catherine de Joyeuse. ...

Bey of Tunis

See also Barbary pirate

In April 1655 Blake was sent to the Mediterranean again to extract compensation from the piratical states that had been attacking English shipping. The Bey of Tunis alone refused compensation, and with 15 ships Blake destroyed the 2 shore batteries and 9 Algerian ships in Porto Farina, the first time shore batteries had been taken out without landing men ashore. The Moorish ambassador of the Barbary States to the Court of Queen Elizabeth I of England. ... Events March 25 - Saturns largest moon, Titan, is discovered by Christian Huygens. ... Bey is originally a Turkish[1][2] word for chieftain, traditionally applied to the leaders of small tribal groups. ...

Anglo-Spanish War

See also Anglo-Spanish War (1654)

In February 1656, commercial rivalry with Spain was soon turned to war. In the Anglo-Spanish War Blake blockaded Cádiz, during which one of his captains, Richard Stayner destroyed most of the Spanish Plate Fleet. A galleon of treasure was captured, and the overall loss to Spain was estimated at £2,000,000. Blake maintained the blockade throughout the winter, the first time the fleet had stayed at sea over winter. The Anglo-Spanish War, caused by commercial rivalry, was fought between the Spanish between 1654 and 1660. ... // Events Mehmed Köprülü becomes Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire. ... The Anglo-Spanish War, caused by commercial rivalry, was fought between the Spanish between 1654 and 1660. ... Location Location of Cádiz Coordinates : Time Zone : General information Native name Cádiz (Spanish) Spanish name Cádiz Postal code – Website http://www. ...

In 1657, Blake won against the Spanish West Indian Fleet over the English seizure of Jamaica in the West Indies. On April 20 that year, Blake totally destroyed a Spanish silver fleet of 16 ships at Santa Cruz Bay, Tenerife for the loss of one ship, and despite being under fire from shore batteries and attacking and withdrawing on the tide, an action for which Blake was given an expensive diamond ring by Cromwell, and which would earn him respect 140 years later from Lord Nelson who lost his arm there in a failed attack. Lord Nelson's respect ranked Robert Blake as one of the greatest Naval Generals ever known, even when compared with his own reputation. Events January 8 - Miles Sindercombe, would-be-assassin of Oliver Cromwell, and his group are captured in London February - Admiral Robert Blake defeats the Spanish West Indian Fleet in a battle over the seizure of Jamaica. ... Santa Cruz de Tenerife (2005 population 223,148) is a city on the island of Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. ... Flag of Tenerife Tenerife in the Canary Islands chain. ... Oliver Cromwell (25 April 1599 – 3 September 1658) was an English military and political leader best known for his involvement in making England into a republican Commonwealth and for his later role as Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland. ... Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, KB (29 September 1758 – 21 October 1805) was a British admiral famous for his participation in the Napoleonic Wars, most notably in the Battle of Trafalgar, a decisive British victory in the war, during which he lost his life. ... Combatants Britain Spain Commanders Horatio Nelson Antonio Gutiérrez Strength 4,000 regulars and sailors 400 guns 1,700 regulars, militia, and sailors 91 guns Casualties 250 dead 128 wounded 30 dead 40 wounded The Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife was a British attack on the Spanish port city... Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, KB (29 September 1758 – 21 October 1805) was a British admiral famous for his participation in the Napoleonic Wars, most notably in the Battle of Trafalgar, a decisive British victory in the war, during which he lost his life. ...

Death

Statue of Robert Blake in Bridgwater, Somerset (1998)

After again cruising off Cadiz for a while, Blake turned for home but died of old wounds within sight of Portsmouth and, after lying in state in the Queen's House, Greenwich, he was buried in Westminster Abbey in the presence of Oliver Cromwell and the members of the Council of State (although his internal organs had earlier been buried at St Andrew's Church, Plymouth). After the restoration of the Monarchy his body was exhumed and dumped in a common grave on the orders of the new king, Charles II. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1072x1584, 223 KB)Statue of Admiral Robert Blake, Bridgwater, Somerset. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1072x1584, 223 KB)Statue of Admiral Robert Blake, Bridgwater, Somerset. ... The Queens House, Greenwich The Queens House, Greenwich, was designed and begun in 1616-1617 by architect Inigo Jones for Anne of Denmark (the queen of King James I of England) and completed, also by Jones, about 1635 for Queen Henrietta Maria, wife of King Charles I. The... This article is about Greenwich in England. ... The Collegiate Church of St Peter, Westminster, which is almost always referred to by its original name of Westminster Abbey, is a mainly Gothic church, on the scale of a cathedral (and indeed often mistaken for one), in Westminster, London, just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. ... King Charles II, the first monarch to rule after the English Restoration. ... Charles II (29 May 1630 – 6 February 1685) was the King of England, Scotland, and Ireland. ...

Relatives

Blake's brother Benjamin Blake (1614-1689) served under Robert, emigrated to Carolina in 1682, and was the father of Joseph Blake, governor of South Carolina in 1694 and from 1696 to 1700. Events April 5 - In Virginia, Native American Pocahontas marries English colonist John Rolfe. ... Year 1689 (MDCLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... The Carolina Colony grants Haystack of 1663 and 1665 The Province of Carolina from 1663 to 1729, was a North American British colony. ... Year 1682 (MDCLXXXII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... Joseph Blake, the nephew of British Admiral Robert Blake, was Governor of South Carolina in 1694 (chosen by the council), and from 1696 to 1700. ... Official language(s) English Capital Columbia Largest city Columbia Largest metro area Columbia Area  Ranked 40th  - Total 34,726 sq mi (82,965 km²)  - Width 200 miles (320 km)  - Length 260 miles (420 km)  - % water 6  - Latitude 32° 2′ N to 35° 13′ N  - Longitude 78° 32′ W to 83... Events February 6 - The colony Quilombo dos Palmares is destroyed. ... The year 1696 had the earliest equinoxes and solstices for 400 years in the Gregorian calendar, because this year is a leap year and the Gregorian calendar would have behaved like the Julian calendar since March 1500 had it have been in use that long. ... Events January 1 - Russia accepts Julian calendar. ...

Blake's brother Samual Blake fought under Popham before being killed in a duel in 1645. // Events January 10 - Archbishop Laud executed on Tower Hill, London. ...

Honouring Blake

A series of ships in the Royal Navy have carried the name HMS Blake in honour of the Admiral. The bell of the last HMS Blake, scrapped in 1982, is on display in Saint Mary's Church, Bridgwater. A series of ships in the British Royal Navy have carried the name HMS Blake in honour of Admiral Robert Blake who was, until eclipsed by Horatio Nelson, the most famous British Admiral. ...

2007 - Various events will take place in Bridgwater, Somerset, from April to September 2007 to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the death of Admiral Blake. These will include a Civic Ceremony on the 8th July 2007 and a 17th Century Market on 15th July 2007. His birthplace in the the town has also been turned into the Admiral Blake Museum.

The Blake oil field in the United Kingdom Sector of the North Sea is named in honour of the admiral. // North Sea Oil Platforms North Sea oil refers to oil and natural gas (hydrocarbons) produced from oil reservoirs beneath the North Sea. ...

Blake is also mentioned in the poem 'Ye Mariners of England' by Thomas Campbell.

See also

• British Naval ensigns
• British military history
• List of English people

The Blue Ensign. ... British military history is a long and varied topic, extending from the prehistoric and ancient historic period, through the Roman invasions of Julius Cæsar and Claudius and subsequent Roman occupation; warfare in the Mediaeval period, including the invasions of the Saxons and the Vikings in the Early Middle Ages... It has been suggested that this article be split into multiple articles. ...

External links

• The Admiral Blake Museum, Bridgwater
• Admiral Blake - Article in Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, May 29 1852