The late 17th century was a transformative and tumultuous period for England’s naval power. It was a time when the sea was not only a battlefield but also a stage for political intrigue, religious conflict, and national identity. The English navy, emerging as one of the most formidable maritime forces in the world, became deeply entwined with the ambitions of monarchs, the fears of parliament, and the anxieties of a nation divided along confessional lines. This article explores the pivotal events surrounding the navy’s development, the complex role of King James II, and the broader cultural and political context that shaped this critical era in English history.

England’s Naval Supremacy and the Battle of La Hogue

By the late 17th century, England had established itself as a dominant maritime power, a status that drew both admiration and jealousy from rivals. The Earl of Shaftesbury famously remarked on England’s natural inclination to harbor envy towards any rising maritime power, underscoring the island nation’s pride in its naval achievements.

A defining moment came during the Battle of La Hogue in 1692, a significant naval engagement during the Nine Years’ War between the Grand Alliance—primarily England and the Dutch Republic—and France. English warships, supported by smaller fire ships and boats, launched a daring assault on the French fleet anchored near La Hogue. In a spectacular display of naval warfare, English forces destroyed twelve French sail warships and their troop transports under the watchful eyes of enemy troops on shore. This victory was complemented by the burning of three additional French warships at Cherbourg the same day.

The battle was not only a tactical triumph but also a symbolic one. James II, the deposed king who had fled England in the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and was attempting to reclaim his throne with French assistance, witnessed the destruction of the fleet sent to support his cause. Despite being the target of this naval onslaught, James expressed intense pride in the English navy. His exclamation, “Only we brave and fearless Englishmen dare fight so valiantly,” reflected his deep personal connection to the navy.

King James II and His Complex Relationship with the Navy

King James II’s relationship with the navy was unique among English monarchs. Although he only participated in two naval battles—Lossowfte and Solebay—he identified strongly with England’s maritime forces, having once shaped, trained, and molded them. This connection was cemented by personal tragedy; James named a son Edgar after a naval hero, indicating the importance he placed on naval valor.

However, James’s reign—and his naval ambitions—were complicated by his conversion to Catholicism in the late 1660s. This change alienated much of the English political establishment and populace, who regarded Catholicism with suspicion and hostility. The 1673 Test Act required all royal officials to renounce Catholicism, forcing James to relinquish his post as Lord High Admiral, leading to a naval administration takeover by Prince Rupert and a committee.

The Religious and Political Context: Anti-Catholic Sentiment and the Test Act

The 17th century was marked by fierce religious divisions, especially between Protestants and Catholics. In England, Catholicism was often associated with tyranny, foreign influence, and political subversion. The memory of the English Civil War and the execution of Charles I remained fresh, and fears of absolute monarchy and Papal interference were widespread.

The Test Act of 1673 was a legislative attempt to exclude Catholics from public office by requiring officials to take Anglican communion and deny certain Catholic doctrines. This act directly impacted James II, who as a Catholic prince was effectively barred from holding major offices. The act also reflected broader fears exacerbated by events such as the Great Fire of London in 1666, which some Protestants believed was part of a Catholic conspiracy to undermine the Anglican Church and restore absolutist rule.

Adding to the anti-Catholic atmosphere was the infamous Titus Oates plot of 1677, in which Oates, a naval chaplain, fabricated a conspiracy theory claiming that Catholic priests planned to assassinate King Charles II to bring James II, a Catholic, to the throne. Although baseless, this claim inflamed public opinion and parliamentary hostility towards Catholics, intensifying efforts to exclude James from the line of succession.

Parliamentary Control and the Struggle for Naval Authority

The religious controversy coincided with a political struggle over control of the navy. Parliament, wary of royal absolutism, sought to wrest control of the fleet from the monarch. The Second Anglo-Dutch War had ended disastrously for England, prompting parliamentary investigations into naval administration and finances.

This scrutiny resulted in the establishment of committees such as the Committee for Miscarriages and the Brooke House Commission, which investigated naval commanders and audited navy expenditures. Parliament’s increasing control over the navy challenged the traditional authority of the crown.

King Charles II, mindful of these tensions, temporarily ceded naval administration to parliament. However, near the end of his life, he reclaimed control of the navy, appointing Samuel Pepys as Secretary of the Admiralty—a post Pepys used to reform and modernize the navy’s administration.

The Navy as a Symbol of National Identity and Power

The English navy of the late 17th century was more than a military force; it was a symbol of national pride and identity. It represented England’s emergence as a global power capable of defending its interests and projecting influence across the seas. The navy’s victories, such as those at La Hogue, were celebrated as proof of English courage and ingenuity.

The navy also became a focal point for political and religious conflicts. Control over the fleet was not just about military strategy but about who would shape the future of England—whether a Catholic monarch like James II or a Protestant-led parliamentary regime.

Conclusion: Legacy and Impact

The events surrounding England’s navy in the late 17th century highlight the intricate interplay between military power, religion, and politics. The navy’s successes laid the groundwork for Britain’s eventual dominance over the oceans in the 18th and 19th centuries. Yet, the period was also marked by deep divisions and uncertainties, particularly regarding the role of monarchy and the place of Catholicism in English society.

King James II’s personal connection to the navy, his Catholic faith, and his political ambitions encapsulate the era’s tensions. The naval battles he observed were not only military contests but also battles for England’s soul and future direction.

Ultimately, the navy’s rise amid religious strife and political upheaval set the stage for the Glorious Revolution’s aftermath and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy with a powerful, professional navy at its command. This legacy continues to resonate as a defining chapter in the story of England’s transformation into a modern maritime power.