BattlefieldsNaval Battle of the Downs (Second Civil War — 1648)
English Civil War

Naval Battle of the Downs (Second Civil War — 1648)

1648
Kent, England
Also known as: Battle of the Downs 1648 · Warwick vs Royalist fleet 1648
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Naval Engagement
Location
Kent, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Royalists (Prince of Wales's fleet)
Forces
Royalists c.15–25 ships.
VS
Victor
Parliament (Warwick)
Forces
Parliamentarians c.20–30 ships
Outcome
Parliamentary fleet maintained control of the Downs anchorage; Royalist fleet under Prince Charles could not land forces
The Battle

History & Significance

During the Second Civil War, much of the Parliamentary fleet mutinied and went over to the Royalists, joining Prince Charles off the Kent coast. The Downs — the anchorage between the Kent coast and the Goodwin Sands — became the arena for a naval standoff. Parliamentary admiral Warwick maintained enough ships to prevent a Royalist landing. The standoff was resolved when Scottish and English Royalist defeats on land made a landing pointless.

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