trated to the highest places of the order who were generally exempt from military service: the Archbishop of Canterbury desired to have a battery of light artillery placed at his disposal for the defence of the coast of Kent.[1] But the best blood of England, if we may judge by the list of names, was seeking in preference the more novel glory which might be earned in the fleet. Berkeleys, Carews, Courtenays, St Clairs, Chichesters, Clintons, Cheyneys, Russells, Dudleys, Seymours, Willoughbys, Tyrrells, Stukeleys, were either in command of the King's ships or of privateers equipped by themselves. For the first time in her history England possessed a navy which deserved the name; and in the motley crowd of vessels which covered the anchorage at Spithead, was the germ of the power which in time was to rule the seas.[2]
The westerly gales, which had continued into the summer, delayed the opening of active operations. One only enterprise was projected by Lord Lisle in an interval of fair weather: he proposed to convert thirty merchantmen, which had been brought to the Downs as prizes, into fire-ships, and to send them in with the tide upon the enemy's anchorage at Havre.[3] The prizes
- ↑ 'My Lord of Canterbury, having required certain pieces of artillery to be drawn to and from sundry places upon the cliffs with horses, at the charge of the country, for the repelling of the enemy, shall be furnished of the same, if Mr Seymour, upon view of the place, shall think it convenient.'—Note of the State of the Realm: State Papers, vol. i. p. 786.
- ↑ The watchword at night was perhaps the origin of the 'National Anthem.' The challenge was 'God save the King.' The answer was, 'Long to reign over us.'—Ibid p. 814.
- ↑ MS. State Paper Office.
volume are the principal English authorities for the events of the summer.
