The Rivalry of Maritime Powers

In the mid-17th century, two naval powers emerged in Europe with ambitions to dominate global trade routes: England and the Dutch Republic. Both nations chose the lion as the figurehead for their warships—England’s golden lion symbolizing royal authority and the Dutch red lion representing their fierce republican spirit. When these two maritime titans clashed in June 1666, their confrontation would become the longest continuous naval engagement in history—the Four Days’ Battle.

The Stakes of Naval Supremacy

The Anglo-Dutch Wars (1652-1674) were fundamentally commercial conflicts fought over trade routes and colonial possessions. By 1666, both nations had developed sophisticated naval tactics and powerful fleets. England’s King Charles II, recently restored to the throne after the English Civil War, sought to assert his nation’s dominance through naval strength. Meanwhile, the Dutch Republic under Grand Pensionary Johan de Witt aimed to protect its lucrative global trade network.

Commanders and Fleets Prepare for Battle

The English fleet, commanded by George Monck, Duke of Albemarle, numbered about 56 ships including the massive 100-gun Royal Charles. The Dutch, led by the legendary Michiel de Ruyter, assembled approximately 85 vessels centered around his flagship De Zeven Provinciën. Both fleets represented the cutting edge of naval technology, with England favoring heavily-armed ships and the Dutch emphasizing maneuverability.

The First Day: Initial Engagements

On June 1, 1666, the fleets sighted each other near the North Foreland. Monck, despite being outnumbered, chose to attack rather than retreat up the Thames. The English initially gained advantage by breaking the Dutch line, but De Ruyter’s tactical brilliance soon turned the tide. By day’s end, both sides had suffered significant damage, with the English losing the 62-gun Swiftsure to Dutch boarding parties.

The Second Day: Fierce Exchanges

June 2 saw the fleets engage in brutal broadside duels. The English suffered particularly heavy losses as their larger ships struggled in the worsening weather. Admiral Sir William Berkeley was killed aboard the Swiftsure, becoming one of the battle’s most prominent casualties. The Dutch lost several ships including the Liefde, which burned after being struck by English fire ships.

The Third Day: A Desperate Struggle

With his fleet reduced to about 30 ships, Monck continued fighting on June 3. The arrival of Prince Rupert’s squadron with 20 fresh ships temporarily restored English hopes. However, the Dutch maintained numerical superiority. The day’s most dramatic moment came when the English flagship Prince ran aground and was captured, though the Dutch later burned this prize rather than risk its recapture.

The Fourth Day: Final Clashes

On June 4, the battered English fleet attempted to disengage. De Ruyter pursued aggressively, capturing several more ships before a thick fog mercifully allowed the English to escape. The final tally showed England lost 10 ships and about 1,500 men killed, with another 2,000 captured. Dutch losses were 4 ships and about 1,500 casualties.

Aftermath and Legacy

Though tactically a Dutch victory, the Four Days’ Battle proved inconclusive strategically. Within weeks, the English would win the St. James’s Day Battle, demonstrating the continued balance of power. The engagement marked a turning point in naval warfare, showcasing the importance of line-ahead tactics that would dominate naval combat for centuries. Both nations would continue their rivalry through two more wars before England ultimately emerged as Europe’s dominant naval power.

The battle’s legacy endures as a testament to 17th century naval warfare’s complexity and brutality. The golden lion and red lion would continue to symbolize their nations’ maritime ambitions long after the guns fell silent in 1666. Today, the Four Days’ Battle remains one of history’s most epic naval engagements, a dramatic clash between two maritime powers at the height of their naval competition.