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…
143 words