Robert Blake captures Jersey for Parliament

Historical Context Note

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.04: English Writing and Culture of the Seventeenth Century, 1625-1688.
Vol. editors: Jennifer Brady (Rhodes College), Daniel Cook (University of Dundee), Neil Forsyth (Université de Lausanne), Claire Preston (Queen Mary, University of London), J A Roe (University of York), Virginia Mason Vaughan (Clark University)

Domains

Navy

Dates

Date of occurrence 1651-10-22

Places

United Kingdom, Jersey (Location)
England (Involved)

Resources

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During the course of 1651, with control over England relatively secure, but facing opposition in Scotland, Ireland and the colonies, the Commonwealth navy focused on quashing isolated remaining Royalist strongholds. After the Scilly Isles were captured in June, Jersey remained as the last Royalist outpost on the approach to England by sea from the south west. Robert Blake, the naval commander who had led the Scilly Isles force, also took charge of a fleet of twelve ships that set sail from Weymouth on 17th October. It was not an entirely straightforward operation, as stormy conditions made it hard for the Commonwealth ships to land. Once they had, they faced the stronghold of Elizabeth Castle, which endured weeks of bombardment before admitting defeat. On 8th December, the bailiff of…

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