Robert Blake (27 September 1598 – 7 August 1657) was an English naval officer who served as general at sea and the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports from 1656 to 1657. Blake served under Oliver Cromwell during the English Civil War and Anglo-Spanish War, and as the commanding Admiral of the State's Navy during the First Anglo-Dutch War. Blake is recognised as the "chief founder of England's naval supremacy", a dominance subsequently inherited by the British Royal Navy well into the early 20th century. Despite this, due to deliberate attempts to expunge the Parliamentarians from historical records following the Stuart Restoration, Blake's achievements tend to remain relatively unrecognised.
Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife: English fleet under Robert Blake sinks Spanish silver fleet
Robert Blake (27 September 1598 – 7 August 1657) was an English naval officer who served as general at sea and the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports from 1656 to 1657.
Historical Significance
Robert Blake (27 September 1598 – 7 August 1657) was an English naval officer who served as general at sea and the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports from 1656 to 1657.
Events Before
Oldest surviving commercial newspaper, "Weeckelycke Courante van Europa", now known as "Haarlems Dagblad", and still in
Oldest surviving commercial newspaper, "Weeckelycke Courante van Europa", now known as "Haarlems Dagblad", and still in print, begins publication in Haarlem, Netherlands
English Poet and author of epic "Paradise Lost" John Milton (47) marries 2nd wife Katherine Woodcock
English Poet and author of epic "Paradise Lost" John Milton (47) marries 2nd wife Katherine Woodcock
Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de las Maravillas, laden with gold and jewellery bound for Spain, sinks off the coast of
Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de las Maravillas, laden with gold and jewellery bound for Spain, sinks off the coast of the Bahamas, only 45 of 650 people survive (most eaten by sharks) [1]
Frederick William I of Brandenburg and King Charles X Gustav of Sweden sign the Treaty of Königsberg
Frederick William I of Brandenburg and King Charles X Gustav of Sweden sign the Treaty of Königsberg
First Jewish doctor in North American colonies, Jacob Lumbrozo, arrives in Maryland
First Jewish doctor in North American colonies, Jacob Lumbrozo, arrives in Maryland
Events After
Sweden and Denmark sign the Treaty of Roskilde; Denmark cedes Scania, Trondheim, and Bornholm to Sweden
Sweden and Denmark sign the Treaty of Roskilde; Denmark cedes Scania, Trondheim, and Bornholm to Sweden
Battle of the Dunes: English and French forces defeat the Spanish near Dunkirk during Franco-Spanish War
Battle of the Dunes: English and French forces defeat the Spanish near Dunkirk during Franco-Spanish War
Dutch troops occupy last Portuguese Fort at Jafnapatnam in Ceylon
Dutch troops occupy last Portuguese Fort at Jafnapatnam in Ceylon
French fleet recaptures Duinkerk
French fleet recaptures Duinkerk
Spanish garrison at Dunkirk surrenders to French and English
The siege of Dunkirk in 1658 was a military operation by France and the Commonwealth of England intended to capture the fortified port city of Dunkirk, Spain's greatest privateering base, from a...
More from the 1650s
Oldest surviving commercial newspaper, "Weeckelycke Courante van Europa", now known as "Haarlems Dagblad", and still in
Oldest surviving commercial newspaper, "Weeckelycke Courante van Europa", now known as "Haarlems Dagblad", and still in print, begins publication in Haarlem, Netherlands
New Amsterdam becomes a city, later renamed New York City
New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States.
First known cheque written (£400), now on display at Westminster Abbey
First known cheque written (£400), now on display at Westminster Abbey
Grand Pensionary of Holland Johan de Witt marries Wendela Bicker
Wendela Bicker (Amsterdam, baptized 30 December 1635 – 1 July 1668) was the wife of Johan de Witt.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on April 20, 1657?
- Robert Blake (27 September 1598 – 7 August 1657) was an English naval officer who served as general at sea and the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports from 1656 to 1657. Blake served under Oliver Cromwell during the English Civil War and Anglo-Spanish War, and as the commanding Admiral of the State's Navy during the First Anglo-Dutch War. Blake is recognised as the "chief founder of England's naval supremacy", a dominance subsequently inherited by the British Royal Navy well into the early 20th century.
- Why is Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife: English fleet under Robert Blake sinks Span... significant?
- Robert Blake (27 September 1598 – 7 August 1657) was an English naval officer who served as general at sea and the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports from 1656 to 1657.