Key Leaders and Decisions During the Raid Flashcards

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Who was the Dutch political leader who ordered the raid on the Medway, and what did he hope to achieve?

Johan de Witt, the Grand Pensionary of the Dutch Republic, ordered the raid. He hoped to force King Charles II to accept peace on Dutch terms by badly damaging England’s navy.

Who was the main Dutch naval commander during the raid on the Medway, and what was his job?

Admiral Michiel de Ruyter was the main Dutch naval commander. His job was to lead the fleet up the Thames and Medway, break English defences and destroy or capture English warships.

What role did Cornelis de Witt play in the raid on the Medway?

Cornelis de Witt sailed with the Dutch fleet as the government’s representative. He pushed for a bold attack on Chatham and closely directed the operation with Admiral de Ruyter.

Which king ruled England in 1667, and what decision about the navy made the country weaker before the raid?

King Charles II ruled England in 1667. To save money, he laid up many large warships in the Medway with small crews, which left them easy targets for the Dutch.

How did Samuel Pepys’s decisions about sailors’ pay affect England’s defence during the raid?

Samuel Pepys, a leading navy official, had to stop paying many sailors because the government had little money. As a result, many ships and forts did not have enough men when the Dutch attacked.

Who was Peter Pett, and what was he blamed for during the raid on the Medway?

Peter Pett was the Commissioner of Chatham Dockyard. He was blamed for reacting too slowly, so big ships like the Royal Charles were not moved to safety before the Dutch broke through.

Which English military leader tried to organise the defence at Chatham, and what urgent action did he order?

George Monck, Duke of Albemarle, rushed to Chatham to take charge. He ordered some old ships to be sunk in the river to block the Dutch, but this was done too late.

Who commanded the English defence at Sheerness, and what key decision did he make when the Dutch attacked?

Sir Edward Spragge led the small English force at Sheerness Fort. When he saw he was outnumbered, he ordered the fort to be abandoned and the guns damaged so they could not be used, which let the Dutch control the mouth of the Medway.

What did English leaders decide to do with the great chain across the Medway, and why did it not stop the Dutch?

They tried to strengthen the chain and place ships and guns near it to block the river. Work was rushed and unfinished, so Dutch fireships were able to break the chain and pass through.

Why did English commanders decide to abandon the Royal Charles instead of defending her in battle?

The Royal Charles had few guns and too few sailors, because weapons and men had been moved to shore defences. Commanders chose to save the crews rather than fight a hopeless battle for the ship.

Why did Dutch leaders choose not to sail on to attack London after success at Chatham?

They feared shallow waters, stronger forts and the risk of being trapped near London. De Ruyter and Cornelis de Witt thought capturing and burning many major English ships was already enough to win better peace terms.