Blackheath Army

The Blackheath Army was a contingent of the

Huguenot Frederick Schomberg. It was intended to use the Blackheath Army to attack the Dutch coastal province of Zealand, as part of the English contribution to the Third Anglo-Dutch War. However the Zealand Expedition was abandoned following the defeat of the Royal Navy at the Battle of Texel

(August 1673). The newly raised regiments were disbanded and the army returned to its smaller pre-war size.

History

The

Parliament.^[2] There was some rivalry over the command of the army between Schomberg and the Duke of Buckingham, one of the regimental commanders, and the two men almost fought a duel. It was widely reported that the Duke of Monmouth, Charles II's eldest son, would be given command in their place but this did not happen.^[3]

The plan to attack Zealand was drawn up by Sir Joseph Williamson. It was based on the belief that England's ally France would make further gains of land against the Dutch Republic, but a counter-offensive by William of Orange and his Spanish allies undermined this strategy. The army was supposed to have assembled by June 1673, but several regiments were late in arriving at Blackheath. On 18 July the expedition finally set off. It was first transported to Great Yarmouth while Prince Rupert's fleet was to clear a passage for them to cross the North Sea. On 21 August Rupert's Anglo-French fleet suffered a defeat at the Battle of Texel. This led to the cancellation of the Zealand expedition.^[4]

Following the

Monmouth's Rebellion

in 1685.

References

^ Childs 1976, p. 234.
^ Childs 1976, p. 77.
^ Watson 1997, p. 67–68.
^ Childs 1976, p. 181–182.

Bibliography

Childs, John (1976). The Army of Charles II. Routledge.
Watson, J.N.P (1997). Captain General and Rebel Chief: The Life of James, Duke of Monmouth. George Allen & Unwin.

[1] Childs 1976, p. 234.

[2] Childs 1976, p. 77.

[3] Watson 1997, p. 67–68.

[4] Childs 1976, p. 181–182.

[2]

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