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ADMIRAL BLAKE.

CHAPTER I.

Birth and Parentage — Academical Education and Pursuits-Acquires great Influence with the Puritan Party-Chosen Member for Bridgewater-Embraces the Cause of the Parliament against Charles I.Services at Bristol, Lyme, and Taunton.

Few men occupy an important place in the military and naval annals of England, who have more conspicuously exhibited the intellectual and moral qualities which favourably distinguish the character of British seamen than Admiral Blake. Much of the war-like distinction, to attain which this country has made such sacrifices, is attributable to a combination in its inhabitants of active with passive courage; or of daring valour and an ardent spirit of enterprise, with firmness, perseverance, and intrepid endurance. When, to these qualifications can be added, patriotism, disinterestedness, and a correct notion of the due boundaries of obedience and command, little more is wanted to complete the outline of an accomplished English officer. All these requisites were displayed, in an eminent degree, by the individual, a brief sketch of whose life will be attempted in the following pages, who has always ranked high in the estimation of his country men, notwithstanding the party bias, so powerfully excited by the political occurrences of the period in which his lot was cast.

Robert Blake was born in August, 1599, at Bridgewater, in the county of Somerset. His father, Humphrey Blake, a respectable merchant of that_town, was a branch of the Blakes of Plansfield, in the parish of Spaxton,* in its vicinity; a family which bore the rank of respectable country gentlemen. Having amassed a good fortune by the Spanish trade, he bought an estate in the neighbourhood of Bridgewater, where he settled, and had a numerous family. At a proper age, Robert, who

Lives, English and Foreign, vol. ii. p. 73. Wood's Fasti. Oxon, vol. i, col. 203,"

was the eldest, attended the Free Grammar School of his native place; whence, at the death of his father, being then of the age of sixteen, he removed himself to Alban's Hall, in the university of Oxford. Here he was noticed for early rising and studious application; which he diversified by the sports of fowling and fishing. As he became too noted a public character, in the sequel, for any sort of traditionary scandal concerning him to escape publicity, it has been asserted that he occasionally amused himself with stealing swans; doubtless in the estimation of those times, nothing more than a species of aquatic poaching. From Alban's Hall, he, after a while, removed himself to Wadham College, where he took the degree of Bachelor of Arts; and in 1619, being then about twenty-one years of age, he became candidate for a Fellowship of Merton College. In this object of his ambition he however failed, owing to the opposition of Sir Henry Savile, then Warden, on the extraordinary ground of not being tall enough. Although it was one of the known foibles of that eminent scholar, to pay a great regard to personal comeliness, there is reason to believe that the religious opinions of the candidate formed the principal cause of his rejection; his family and connexions being, for the most part, inclined to Presbyterianism, or at least opposed to the domineering scheme of church government, which the court and prelacy were then endeavouring to carry into practice. However this might be, his non-attainment of a fellowship probably altered the entire course of his future destiny; for so long a residence at the university, and his wish to obtain that kind of preferment, seem to indicate literary, if not professional views, altogether at variance with his future career. If so, Blake is only one among a multitude of distinguished characters, whom the course of events, rather than premeditation or design, has conducted into that line of exertion, for which their natural endowments have more especially adapted them.

•Wood's Fasti, vol. i.col. 203.
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Mr. Blake remained at the university until his twenty-fifth year, during which period, according to Lord Clarendon, he obtained as great a portion of learning, as any gentleman of independent prospects, not expressly intended for a learned profession, needs acquire.* This testimony is sufficient to discountenance an insinuation, that he lost the sought for fellowship by want of sufficient erudition; but it at the same time proves that he was never a distinguished student. All that is known of his literary performances, is a copy of verses on the death of the celebrated antiquary Camden, one of those fruits of imitation rather than of native impulse, or genius, which may sometimes be admired as college exercises, but seldom as any thing more. Such, unfortunately, owing to the very mature age to which he arrived before he became distinguished, is all that it has been found possible to collect concerning the early life of Admiral Blake. This is too common a circumstance in biography, to be the subject of particular regret; but it is still to be lamented, as a study of well authenticated accounts of the youthful predispositions of eminent men, is both profitable and amusing. In the great variety and complexity of human character, it may not be always safe to depend upon like results from similar appearances; but in social and intel lectual, as well as in physical knowledge, cool and patient observation will gradually account for much apparent diversity. The utility too, as regards education, is undeniable; an early discernment of the indications of future modes of thinking and acting, and a close attention to the formation of habits, being among the most useful qualifications with which all who have to do with the bringing up of youth, whether as parents or teachers, can be endowed.

On quitting the university, Mr. Blake took up his residence at Bridgewater, where he soon became distinguished for soundness of understanding, gravity of deportment, and plain sincerity of temper; all bespeaking the strength and solidity of character which he afterwards displayed. It is, at the same time, recorded that a humorous bluntness of expression rendered him a very entertaining and agreeable companion, notwithstanding the apparent austerity of his manners; and that,

History of the Rebellion, vol. iii. p. 601. Bates.

Bates's Elenchus Motuum, p. 228,

taken altogether, he was admirably adapted to acquire influence with the powerful and rising party to which he was attached both by principle and connexion. It has already been observed, that this party was the Nonconformists, or Puritans, which, from the nature of the times, and the infatuated conduct of the reigning family and its advisers, soon became strongly, although far from universally, tinctured with republicanism. To whatever extent it may be conceded that it was natural for the House of Stuart to claim the same extent of prerogative as its predecessors, it must be allowed by all, except the most prejudiced of its partisans, that the arbitrary system which it adopted, was carried most unwisely into practice. Disgusted, in common with a great portion of the nation, at the measures of the court, and still more annoyed by the severe and intolerant proceedings of Laud, then Bishop of Bath and Wells, the diocese in which he lived, Mr. Blake was the more confirmed in the religious and political opinions, which equally agreed with his own natural seriousness, and the prevalent bias of the inhabitants of his native place. Expressing his sentiments freely, and without concealment, he gradually acquired that influence with his party, which his talents and general respectability were so well calculated to command; so that in 1640 he was chosen Member of Parliament for Bridgewater. This parlia ment was, however, so soon dissolved, that he had no opportunity of distinguishing himself as a politician; and for the next, which was the memorable Long Parliament, he lost his election.

When in 1642, the differences between the King and the Parliament broke out into actual hostilities, Blake, in common with many of the most active and energetic men of the period, immediately embraced the party of the latter, and raised a troop of dragoons, which he personally commanded as captain. He was at this time in his forty-second year, having attained the meridian of life, before he commenced those warlike pursuits in which he so rapidly acquired a distinguished name. This circumstance, while remarkable in itself, tends in some degree to detract from the interest of this narrative as a piece of biography. It is natural to wish for some satisfactory particulars of the first forty has made the remainder of it celebrated; years of the life of a man whose conduct

Or

but unhappily, except a few scattered notices by Lord Clarendon, Anthony Wood, and Dr. Bates, very little is recorded concerning Blake before he was called into activity by the civil war. The rapidity with which he then acquired eminence as a warrior, both by sea and land, will give a very different complexion to what will follow, his own history, from the period in question, being identified with that of his country. He forms, indeed, one of the most conspicuous examples which modern times have produced, of a man stepping from private life into command, and becoming almost at once a distinguished leader. In the republics of Greece and Rome it was more common, although probably when duly considered less extraordinary, as the institutions of both the Greeks and Romans, in many respects, made every man a soldier. Such was not the case in England during the age of Blake; although the facility with which many of the energetic spirits of the day passed from civil life into active military command, seems to indicate that the temper and construction of British society were not unfavourable to the transition. rather, ought we not, as in a more recent period of revolutionary history, to attribute the almost spontaneous appearance of the ability, to the strength of the excitement and is it not upon the whole consolatory to reflect, that when the souls of men are moved, and their actions dic. tated by principles, their energies are better seconded by their understandings? But to return to the narrative: the first opportunity Mr. Blake acquired of distinguishing himself was in 1643, when he served at Bristol under Colonel Fiennes, who intrusted him with the defence of a small fort on the lines. When the governor agreed to surrender that important city to Prince Rupert, on the 26th July, Blake refused to give up his post, and continued to fire upon the Royalists. At this the prince was highly exasperated, and declared, that when he took the place he would hang him. Some friends, however, interfered, and pleaded his inexperience in the usages of war; and, at the same time, urged Blake to refrain from an entirely useless resistance, to which advice, although with great difficulty, he was finally induced to accede.* The conduct of Blake in this respect, so indicative of the spirit and tenacity of the man, has been consi

Hist. of the Rebellion, vol, iii. p. 602. ̧

dered to be, on military principles, irregular; but it should be remembered, that one of the charges against Colonel Fiennes, on his trial before a council of war at St. Alban's, for his conduct at the siege of Bristol, was, that he left Captain Blake in the fort, when he marched out of that city, without giving him any notice of the surrender, or any warrant to deliver up his charge, to the great danger of the lives of Captain Blake and his men.*

Blake subsequently served in Somersetshire as Lieutenant-Colonel of the regiment of foot of Colonel Popham, then in garrison at Lyme, of which town the latter officer was parliamentary governor. Here he acted with so much activity and ability, when the place was besieged by Prince Maurice and Lord Goring, that Popham left its defence entirely to his management; and he so effectually exerted himself, that the Royalists, after being baffled in repeated attempts at storming, and losing a great number of men by the vigorous sallies of the besieged, gave up the attempt and departed.†

His next service was of great importance: Popham's regiment having been raised in Somersetshire, throughout which county Blake was exceedingly popular, he was known and much beloved by all the soldiers who served under him. This attachment was not only highly serviceable to him in the field, but procured him the best intelligence of the state of things around, through the medium of the friends and connexions of. his men, all over the county. By these means he acquired intelligence which enabled him, in conjunction with Sir Robert Pye, to surprise Taunton, where they found six cannon and a considerable quantity of ammunition. In 1644, the Parliament appointed him governor of this town, one of the most important in the west of England, being then the only garrison in the parliamentary interest in that part of the country. The works erected in defence of Taunton were far from strong, and the garrison by no means numerous; yet by maintaining a strict discipline, and by treating the inhabitants with consideration and humanity, he managed, with very little assistance from supplies, to retain the place, although repeatedly besieged and blocked up by the King's

Howell's State Trials, 224, 252. ↑ Lives English and Foreign, vol. iii. Rushworth's Hist. Collections, vol. v. p. 685,

forces. He had not, indeed, been long there before the Earl of Essex, commanding for the Parliament, was obliged to capitulate in Cornwall, and to surrender his army to the King, an event which was followed by an unresisted scouring of the western counties by the Royalists. Of these troops 3000 ventured to approach Taunton; on which Blake sent out a party from the town, who defeated them with great slaughter, and took several officers of note prisoners. He also cleared all the roads around his post from the armed interruption of a number of cavalier country gentlemen of the vicinity, who frequently behaved with great ferocity to those passengers that were supposed to be adverse to the royal cause.*

Annoyed by this activity, Lord Goring came into the neighbourhood of Taunton with a body of Royalists, amounting to 10,000 men; and pressed the works so closely, that he made a breach in the line of defence, and took actual possession of a part of the town. Blake however, still contrived to retain the castle and the remainder of the town, although in the greatest distress both for ammunition and provisions. Aware of this fact, the besiegers summoned him to surrender, the message being conveyed to him by Colonel Windham, governor of Bridgewater, for the King, who happened to be at that time with the royal army. The first summons demanded instant surrender, on pain of fire and sword; which being treated with disregard, Windham, who had been on intimate terms with Blake, mildly endeavoured to persuade him to spare an unnecessary effusion of Christian blood. To these repeated demands Blake at length made the following characteristic reply:

46

These are to let you know, that as we neither fear your menaces nor accept your proffers, so we wish you for the time to come to desist from all overtures of the like nature to us, who are resolved, to the last drop of our blood, to maintain the quarrel we have undertaken; and doubt not that the same God who has hitherto protected us, will ere long bless us with an issue answerable to the justice of our cause. However, to him alone, we shall stand or fall."†

Soon after the despatch of this letter,

Sir Francis Doddington meeting a divine, exclaimed, "Who art thou for, priest?" "For God and his gospel," he replied; which answer being deemed a declaration for the Parliament, Sir Francis shot him dead upon the spot.-Lives English and Foreign. Lives English and Foreign, vol. ii. p. 81, 82.

a body of parliamentary troops broke through the besieging force, and supplied the town with provisions and other necessaries. The main army of the Parliament could not however move so rapidly to the relief of Taunton as the situation of the governor and garrison required, owing to the time necessary for the re-officering it under the famous self-denying ordinance. Before, therefore, effective succour arrived, the besiegers had destroyed the suburbs and half the town, and Blake could with difficulty maintain even the castle. At length Major General Skippon was directed to join Sir Thomas Fairfax, and march to the aid of Blake with 8,000 men, and a train of artillery, and money and provisions were sent after them.

In the mean time, fully acquainted with the great distress of the garrison, the besiegers sent another summons to Blake to surrender, to which he briefly replied, that he would eat his boots first. He then calmly proceeded to barricade the part of the town which he still retained with all sorts of lumber; and made the Royalists pay dearly for every step of ground that they acquired. At last, Lord Goring and Prince Rupert were called away, with part of the besieging force, to the king's relief at Oxford; but the approaching army of Sir Thomas Fairfax and General Skippon being diverted to the same scene of hostilities, a strong detachment only, under the command of the Colonels Weldon and Greaves, could be spared for the relief of Taunton. This force, however, proved sufficient for the service; and on the 11th of May 1645, the Royalists were obliged to raise the siege, after they had lost 1000 men, and sent away twelve waggon loads of wounded. For this spirited defence, the parliament voted a letter of thanks to Colonel Blake, with a donation of 500l., and 2000l. to be distributed among the garrison. A general collection was also made to restore the houses destroyed during the siege.

The possession of Taunton by the Parliamentarians, proved so injurious to the royal cause, that another attempt was soon after made to take it, by the united forces of Lord Goring, Sir Richard

An act passed through the intrigues of Cromwell and the Independents, by which all members of Parliament were to abstain from military command, except Cromwell himself, a scheme to get the army into the hands of his own partizans, and to exclude the Presbyterian and other leaders of reputation from acquiring influence with the soldiery.

Greenville, and Colonel Berkely. They suffered much from the spirited sallies of the besieged, under the command of Colonel Weldon; and when the latter, on one occasion, was nearly surrounded by the enemy, Blake marched out to his relief at the head of two troops of horse, and charged the cavaliers so fiercely, that Weldon was enabled to gain the town, into which Blake and his party followed in good order. On learning the renewed attempt upon Taunton, the city of London voluntarily granted 40007. to raise and equip 1000 horse, to be sent to the assistance of the governor, under the command of Major-General Massey; and the committee of Kent supplied two troops of dragoons, and two companies of infantry, for the same service. The distress of the garrison, during these preparations, was very great; but although Blake could acquire no precise information when succour might be expected, he resolutely held out, and continued to annoy the enemy with great effect, until the junction of the parliamentary forces, under General Massey and Sir Thomas Fairfax, once more obliged Lord Goring to raise the siege.* * It has been necessary to dwell at some length on this obstinate defence of Taunton, for two reasons: in the first place, to show the rapid developement of Blake's talents as a commander; and in the second, because this protracted occupation of a large portion of the king's troops, materially tended to hasten the final defeat of the royal cause. It was the known distress of Blake in Taunton, and a supposition that, if pressed, he must surrender in a few days, that induced the king to divide his forces, and thereby hasten the decisive battle of Naseby, which Fairfax would not have risked, had the royal army remained entire. At the same time, the large body of troops despatched on this service, not only completely failed to accomplish its object, but, in the sequel, was routed and dispersed altogether. It seldom happens that a single, and apparently a mere subordinate military exertion, leads to consequences so important.+

After refreshing and recruiting his garrison, Blake marched with a party of his men, and captured Dunster Castle, held by the Luttrell family for the crown. This event, which was one of the last transactions of the war, took

• Lives English and Foreign, vol. ii. p. 85. † Rushworth's Hist. Coll, vol. vi.p. 28.

place in April 1646, when he returned in triumph to Taunton, and to the enjoyment of a considerable interval of repose.

It has already been seen how promptly Colonel Blake espoused the side of the parliament, in a contest rendered equally inevitable by the progress of opinion among the people, and by the too natural blindness of authority to the necessity of yielding, more or less, to a decided change in national sentiment. Without entering into the question of the practice of their predecessors, the religion and government of James I. and Charles I., no matter whether adopted or inherited, were essentially intolerant and arbitrary. What is equally undeniable, principles in respect to both were ostentatiously promulgated, at a period not only when the common sense of mankind began very generally to revolt at them, but when the rising power of the popular branch of the constitution, and the diversity of religious opinion, rendered their establishment as impracticable as unpalatable. This weakness necessarily threw all the strong and sturdy spirits, most opposed to indefinite prerogative and ecclesiastical intolerance, into the opposite extreme of republicanism. But it was not monarchy and episcopacy simply, as such, that the more disinterested and well principled of these opposed in the first instance; but monarchy and episcopacy as defined by the court and high church party. The mischievous doctrines of passive obedience and divine right, which will always prove snares and pitfalls to sovereigns, who are misguided enough to govern as if they believed in them, were every day maintained, not merely as favourable, but essential to the English constitution. The history of the country, since that period, has happily proved, that a crown requires the diffusion of no such principles for its due support. Grant, indeed, as was then demanded, a dispensing power or privilege of suspending the authority of the law, the right to raise taxes without the consent of parliament, and the liberty to prosecute for difference of religious opinions, and claim, at the same time, passive obedience from the people,and what but arbitrary government can ensue? The obsti

ascendancy on both sides; the too frequent conse The struggle no doubt rapidly became one for quence of appeals to arms to settle civi. and reli. gious differences. That which might be equality if bestowed, usually becomes ascendancy, when fought for.

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