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Blake, Robert 1599-1657
English naval commander

Born in Bridgwater, Somerset, he was educated at Wadham College, Oxford. He led the life of a quiet country gentleman until 1640, when he became MP for Bridgwater in the Short Parliament, later serving in the Long Parliament (1645-53). In the Civil War he took part in the defence of Bristol (1643), Lyme Regis (1644) and Taunton (1644-45). Appointed admiral in 1649, he blockaded Lisbon, destroyed Prince Rupert's fleet, and captured the Scilly Isles and Jersey. In the first Dutch War (1652-54) he defeated Maarten Tromp at the Battle of Portland (1653) and shattered Dutch supremacy at sea. His greatest victory was in 1657 at Santa Cruz off Tenerife, where he destroyed a Spanish treasure fleet. He is considered one of the greatest English admirals.