GEORGE MONK

Monk was famous as one of the most brilliant military leaders of the UK. But he also was, and naval commanders, and politicians who consider the architect of England after the restoration of republican government.

George Monk was born Dec. 6, 1608 in Great Rotebridzhe (Devon), and was from a wealthy family Devonian. He fought against the Spaniards in the Dutch army until 1638, participated in quelling the rebellion in Ireland in the years 1642-1643 and returned to England to fight for King Charles I against parlamentaristov. Captured in January 1644, Monk for two years proved in the Tower of London. After the defeat of the King in 1646 parliament sent Monk led the army against the Irish rebels. He had not made a big success came to an agreement with the risen in 1649 and was forced to return. In 1650, the Parliamentary commander sent him at the head of an infantry regiment to suppress the revolt of the Scottish royalist. Monk fought with Cromwell in the victorious battle with the Scots September 3, 1650 and stayed in Scotland to complete suppression of rebels.

In November 1652 Monk was appointed one of the three generals of the sea "in 1 second Anglo-Dutch War. He played a leading role in the three victories of the British marine.

The morning of June 12, 1653 Monk met in beach Gabard Dutch admiral M. TROMP. Opponents have about a hundred ships each. The battle flared up in 11 hours. At the beginning of the battle commander of the Dutch avant-garde Ryuyter using a tail wind, strongly attacked the British avant-garde, trying to break him, but failed due to a better state of British ships. TROMP rushed to the aid of the injured Ryuytera Squadron, after which the battle turned into a landfill, and lasted up to 20 hours. Monk went to the night 18 ships Robert Blake. Englishmen in the morning to resume fighting the battle using the Dutch courts in the center, they have 15 ships. By the evening divided the Dutch retreated to Vilingenu.

After the battle Monk took the position of the Dutch squadron De Witt in Teksele and TROMP in Vilingene. TROMP, however, could distract from the Monk Vilingena at sea, which allowed De Witt to go and connect with TROMP. Combined forces of August 10, engaged in battle with the British in Shevelingena. The Dutch broke through the English fleet, turned to another tack and attacked. In the decisive battle neither side has had little success. Death TROMP affected mushketnoy bullet, was a critical moment. The Council of admirals and commanders on the part of flagship decided not to let the flag of Admiral, not to demoralize the seamen, and to continue the fight. However, the British were unable to overcome, and by evening the Dutch have left alone in Teksel, others in the Meuse.

Photo — «George Monk»

They lost 14 ships, 500 dead and 700 wounded, the British - 9 ships, 400 killed and 700 wounded. English fleet was so upset that Monk had to leave their shores, ending the blockade.

In 1654, after the conclusion of a campaign against rebels in Scotland royalistic, Monk was left there by order of the Governor of Cromwell, who was appointed Lord Protector of Great Britain. After the death of Cromwell Monk initially supported his son and successor, Richard, but did not prevent his defeat. When Major-General John Lambert in October 1659 forcibly disbanded parliament, Monk refused to recognize the new military regime and led an army from Scotland against Lambert in January 1660, which was restored thanks to the Parliament. After the dissolution of Parliament in March 1660 a new parliament immediately called King Charles II to return to England. Bredskaya Declaration of Charles, spoke of an amnesty, freedom of conscience and other measures, was published at the suggestion of Monk.

For the contribution to the peaceful restoration of Stuart Monk awarded the title of Duke Albemarlema, a rank holder of the Order of the Garter, granted a large annual pension. He was also shtalmeysterom, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and Captain-General.

Soon I broke 2-Anglo-Dutch war of 1665-1667 years. The reason for the war was the trade competition. In 1664 the English captured the Dutch fleet stations on the west coast of Africa and the New Amsterdam (New York) in America. Formally, the war was declared in February 1665. Monk, expressing the widely held view in England, said: "There are all the same, what excuse we choose? The essence of the case that we wish to capture most of the trade, which is now in the hands of Holland. " Admiral had commanded the fleet in two major battles in 1666: 4-day battle in the Channel Duvrskom 11-14 June 1666 and August 4 Nortforlanda.

In June 1666 Monk was chief of the English fleet. The English had 80 ships, the Dutch, commanded by Ryuyter - about 100, but mostly smaller. However, this approximate equality has been violated. King learned about the movement from the Atlantic to help Dutch French squadron, sent them to meet the Prince Rupert detachment of ships. The remaining 60 ships Monk led towards the Dutch. Thus the fleet was in a dangerous situation.

The morning of June 11, 1666 Monk found to leeward Dutch fleet at anchor in the Strait of Dover between Dunkirk and Downes. Despite the numerical superiority of the enemy, he decided to attack in the hope that the weather situation will allow, if necessary, withdraw from the battlefield. Rearguard behind Monk, but he is over 35 enemy ships and the avant-garde center and struck the rear Dutchmen.

Photo — «George Monk»

TROMP immediately chop off anchor ropes and put a line parallel to the English Center and the avant-garde followed suit, but were too far away to join the battle. Fighting ships headed to the shores of France.

Wind both heel British court that the gun lower dekov could not shoot. Nevertheless, the British burned large Dutch ship. However, after turning in Dunkirk English avant-garde collided with the Dutch center ships stretched lines mixed. English-chief to the late hour, had a battle, losing two ships, one against the Dutch, it is still retained their positions and kept fighting efficiency.

The next morning, Monk, taking advantage of higher speed, took the windward position. He had 44 ships against 80 enemy. Opponents move to kontrgalsah. Dutch ships constructed in two or three lines, disturb each other to shoot. Seeing that the situation of disadvantage, Commander rearguard TROMP turned and went out to the wind the English avant-garde. However, the two flagship avant-garde Dutch fleet turned to the rear of the enemy, and Ryuyteru had to follow so as not to destroy the system. TROMP was in danger, because his ships had been cut off from the main line of the British forces. Ryuyter rescued him by deploying the vanguard and the rearguard at the back center. Monk decided not to fight with the small forces TROMP, which could not risk and give way to wind the opponent he had not availed himself of even the fact that due to incorrect maneuvers junior leader of the Dutch ships crowd and they could surround, for preserving the order of battle British ships had significant damage to spars and rigging that stifle their mobility.

June 13, Monk continued to retreat. It burned three neboesposobnyh ship damaged sent forward, but the most suitable for the battle ships at the rear screen. During the retreat of the 90-gun ship "Royal Prince" ran aground and was taken by the Dutch, but they are so affected by that greater damage to the enemy is not attacked. By the evening came squadron Rupert, significantly increased the strength Monk.

Morning, fresh winds from the south-west, gave the Dutch an advantage. Monk, however, relying on speed, bypassed enemy′s stern, and entered into battle. English fleet was under the wind. Opponents attacked Brander, and poorly managed the Dutch court does not have caused damage to the enemy, as the British burned the two spacecraft. Two hours of the battle fleets were on parallel courses, after which the main forces of the English fleet passed through the Dutch line. Opponents mixed, with most of the Dutch forces led by Ryuyterom (35-40 vehicles) was in the wind, and much of England with Monk - the wind.

Photo — «George Monk»

Four ships of English avant-garde tried to enter the wind enemy, and pursued them for the Dutch avant-garde. It kept rearguard TROMP K. , who due to the wind lavirovki the main British force was the wind and could not connect to Ryuyterom. Battling with the English Center, he ordered the main forces to descend on the enemy. Dutch ships were among the British. The Dutch attacked from two sides, came to the confusion and disrupted structure due to enemy attack and a strong wind.

In the fever of battle Monk, accompanied by only one fire-ship, away from the fleet, but came to the wind and passing through the Dutch fleet, was again led by 15-20 British ships. The British lost 17 ships, the Dutch - 4.

An eyewitness wrote that the English fleet during the battle withstand operation. His defeat was a consequence of the division of power in the beginning, because the combined attack squadron Monk and Rupert Dutch fleet, which was not in the best condition, could lead to his defeat to the junction with the French.

French historian Shabo, Arnault said: "In 1666 and 1653 he worked. Fortune of War, it seemed, the slope on the side of the British. Of the three big battles the two have ended their decisive victories and a third, albeit unsuccessful, only increased the fame of their seamen. They are required to intelligent courage Monk and Rupert, talents of the admirals and captains, and the art of their subordinate officers and sailors. The wise and vigorous efforts by the Government of United Provinces, and the preeminent Ryuytera of experienced and talented of all his enemies could not balance the weakness and inability of the majority of Dutch officers and obvious inferiority of their crews. "

Two months later, on 4 August, under Nortforlendom violent battle, in which the English fleet under Monk broke the Dutch flag, retreat to its shores. Negotiations for peace. However, Charles II was too demanding to Holland. On the other hand, he believed that a large fleet is not needed, and ordered him to disarm, leaving the sea kreysiruyuschie frigates. Monk spoke against unreasonable decision. He was right - June 14, 1667 Dutch fleet under the flag of Ryuytera entered in Thames, destroyed ships, warehouses, seized Shirnessom and chats. The Dutch remained in the river until the end of the month. The fires are visible from London, led Charles II to conclude July 31, 1667 Bredsky world.

Monk died Jan. 3, 1670 in London. His expression of that nation that wants to dominate the sea, must always attack, Monk set the tone for maritime policy of England.