Robert Blake (1598-1657)

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Robert Blake

NationalityBritish 
RolesNaval Sailor, Soldier 
Date of Birth8.1598ODNB
Baptism27.9.1598 - St Mary's church, Bridgwater, Somerset ODNB
First Known Service24.2.1648/49ODNB
FatherHumphrey Blake (d.1625)ref:845
MotherSarah Williams (d.1638)ref:845
Last Known Service7.8.1657ODNB
Date of Death17.8.1657 - On board the ResolutionODNB
Cause of DeathNaturalODNB
Burial4.9.1757 - Henry VII's chapel, Westminster Abbey ODNB

Event History


Date fromDate toEventSource
24.2.1648/49 General at Searef:600
18.4.164916.9.1649Triumph (44), as Flag Officer, General at Searef:600
22.5.164910.1649Commander-in-Chief at the Blockade of Kinsale 
22.5.164910.1649Blockade of Kinsale 
16.9.164916.10.1649Lion (42), as Flag Officer, General at Searef:600
16.10.164911.1649Guinea (30), as Flag Officer, General at Searef:600
3.11.164912.1649Nonsuch (34), as Flag Officer, General at Searef:600
1650 Resolution (64), as Flag Officer, General at SeaBWAS-1603
165010.1651Phoenix (38), as Flag Officer, General at SeaBWAS-1603
14.2.1649/501652Commander of the Fleet sent to Lisbon  
1.3.1649/50 George (60), as Flag Officer, General at Searef:600
10.3.1649/5010.1650Commanded the Commonwealth Squadron at the Blockade of the Tagus 
1652 Resolution (64), as Flag Officer, General at SeaBWAS-1603
16526.1652James (48), as Flag Officer, General at SeaBWAS-1603
16521653Triumph (44), as Flag Officer, General at SeaW014
4.3.1651/52 C.O.S. orders to Col. Robert Blake a "Commission to command the Parliament fleet for nine months, with the usual powers"SPD-1651-2
19.5.1652 Commanded the Main Squadron at the Battle of Dover 
12.7.1652 Commanded the English Fleet at the Action of 1652-07-12 
12.7.1652 Commander-in-Chief at the Action of 1652-07-12 
28.9.1652 Commanded the English Fleet at the Battle of Kentish Knock 
30.11.1652 Commanded the English Fleet at the Battle of Dungeness 
18.2.1652/5320.2.1652/53Commanded the English Fleet at the Battle of Portland 
2.6.16533.6.1653Commanded the The Red Squadron - Main Division at the Battle of the Gabbard 
2.6.16537.1653Essex (56), as Flag Officer, General at SeaB146
31.7.1653 Battle of Scheveningen 
16541655Swiftsure (64), as Flag Officer, General at SeaBWAS-1603
16547.8.1657George (52), as Flag Officer, General at SeaBWAS-1603
29.9.16548.1657Commander of the Fleet for the Mediterranean  
16551656Commander of the Mediterranean Fleet 1655  
4.4.1655 Commanded the English Fleet at the Battle of Porto Farina 
1656 Naseby (80), as Flag Officer, General at SeaTRN2
10.165612.1656Swiftsure (64), as Flag Officer, General at SeaBWAS-1603
20.4.1657 Commanded the English Fleet at the Battle of Santa Cruz 
20.4.1657 Commander-in-Chief at the Battle of Santa Cruz 
Previous comments on this page

Posted by Brian on Friday 15th of January 2016 23:05

Robert Blake was born at Somersetshire in August 1598, his father being a merchant of that place. Of his earliest years we have no account; 1615 entered into the University of Oxford till 1623. In 1645 was the Governor of Taunton. In February 1648-9 he was made a Commissioner of the Navy. He was soon afterwards sent in pursuit of Prince Rupert whom he shut up in the harbour of Kingsale in Ireland. etc etc (very long story) Fatigue of the last 3 years, determined to return home, and dyed before he came to land. Was buried in Henry VII's chapel ---it is with regret that I am obliged to relate the treatment his body met a year after the restoration when it was taken up by express command and buried in a pit in St. Margaret's Churchyard

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