Chapter 10 – Keep Your Friends Close...
With the Spanish wrapping up their war with the Portuguese and English following a major defeat, the United Provinces found themselves now standing alone against the Protectorate. Furthermore, the exiled King Charles II had been murdered whilst the guest of the House of Orange. This was a mixed blessing, for the Royalists of England naturally began to depart from the United Provinces, seeking refuge in Sweden, Portugal and some of the more Royalist leaning colonies [1]. This left only the English Republicans, allies of Johan de Witt and the Republican State Party.
Johan de Witt saw the need for a decisive blow against the Protectorate to force it to the negotiating table. The war was taking its toll both on the Dutch and English economies, but the English more so as it had been in a far worse state prior to the beginning of hostilities. Recent treaties had concluded favourably for English trade however, and as a result the pressure on the English economy would soon begin to slacken. Many English traders, now with access to the Spanish market, fought against the Dutch in a price war where the Dutch traders could only lose or retain their existing contracts. It was everything to gain for the English, and everything to lose for the Dutch [2].
The United Provinces were further hassled in Indonesia, where the Portuguese and Spanish suddenly became far more active. With no wars plaguing either county, the Portuguese and Spanish concentrated on reviving their Empires by attempting to quietly disrupt Dutch claims in the region [3].
To prevent the risk of losing their colonies, the United Provinces concluded the offensives against the English East India Company’s holdings would have to be postponed in favour of a more defensive action, at least until they managed to defeat the bulk of the English fleet [4]. To this end, the major offensive against English fleet, launching from Dunkirk and directed towards the mouth of the Thames was carried out on 4th August 1663. The aim was provoke the English fleet into open combat, capitalising on the losses that had been inflicted during the previous engagement at Dunkirk [5].
As predicted, the Protectorate fleet sallied forth to engage the Dutch. Due to the damage taken at Dunkirk combined with economic troubles during the Portuguese Restoration War, the Protectorate had been forced to withhold a number of ships still undergoing repairs. This, and the removal of a number of senior commanders following the recent defeat led to a rather shambolic showing on the part of the Protectorate. Whilst the fleet did managed to get the Dutch to withdraw, it was more a tactical move on the Dutch part to ensure the bulk of their fleet remained intact for future use rather than being driven off [6].
From all view points, it was a Dutch victory. Although the Dutch fleet had not managed to secure the Thames or even attempt any landings on English soil, the English fleet had been crippled enough so that De Witt felt comfortable relocating some forces to strike against English colonies and claims elsewhere, particularly with an eye on the Indian Ocean.
Suddenly, the positive feelings within the Protectorate began to sour. The victory against the Spanish in Portugal had been a needed boost to the morale of Protectorate Parliament. However, with the Dutch hammering the Protectorate's fleet not once, but twice grumblings began once again in the city of London [7]. On one side, the merchants, traders and wealthy began to fear with the rising costs of the Anglo-Dutch War and the loss of shipping to the economy, taxation would be brought against them to fund what was seen to be a losing battle. On the other side, the former generals and open militarists refused to accept any other outcome than total victory against the Dutch. More ships were needed, more soldiers were needed. Anyone who would allow the United Provinces to obtain victory in the war, were clearly traitors to the Protectorate [8].
Lord Protector Oliver II saw that decisive action would be needed to restore confidence in his reign, and reinforce the legitimacy of the Protectorate. In letters recovered from the personal effects of General Monck, the Lord Protector expresses his fear that the expelled Republicans would return to England and Scotland to ferment further dissent. Scotland appeared to be one of the more dangerous breeding grounds of Monarchism and Republicanism as the General still continued to suppress the people by force of arms with little democratic representation. With the war against Spain only recently concluded, and with the Anglo-Dutch war going rapidly downhill, the Lord Protector had kept General Monck in his position in Scotland until a more permanent solution could be found [9].
In his return correspondence, General Monck promised to remain vigilant at his post in Scotland, stamping out the fires of rebellion whenever they emerged. However, the inevitable blaze could only be held back for so long. In November of 1663 the Earl of Moray, Alexander Stuart, personally wrote a letter to Charles' brother James (currently serving in the Spanish navy), begging him to return as the rightful King of Scotland [10]. This coincided with a large Scottish uprising, with clashes across the country in attempt to force General Monck's forces to withdraw from their fortified positions [11].
To the dismay of the Protectorate's leadership, during the extremely cold winter that brought 1663 to an end, the bulk of General Monck's forces found themselves forced to fall back across the border into England, with pockets of fortification left trapped surrounded by independent Scottish forces [12]. The uprising consisted of a loose coalition of Royalists and Republicans, united in the single goal of driving the English forces out of Scotland. However, with their main goal achieved, 1664 saw Scotland dissolve into its own mini Civil War [13].
With Scotland spiralling into anarchy, and rebellion in his own parliament, the Lord Protector formally dissolved parliament, leaving the enforcement of law up to the Major-Generals as personally organised the response to the ‘Scottish problem’ [14].
What would occur in 1664, would be one of the darkest chapters in the history of the Anglo-Scottish relations. The actions of Lord Protector Oliver II would forever blacken his name, and set up a chain of events that would divide Britain for centuries to come [15].
[1] The Royalists have no reason to hang around a Republican state if their King is dead. Some will try to persuade James to take up the crown but without a firm base on the British mainland, James won’t be very responsive.
[2] Spain opens up competition between the Dutch and English where the Dutch used to have a monopoly. The Dutch can only lose here.
[3] Although there is ‘peace’ between the Dutch and Spanish the Dutch did knock over an awful lot of Portuguese/Spanish claims in Indonesia. They won’t take too kindly to it.
[4] If the Dutch can cause enough damage to keep enough of the English fleet in dry-dock they can move their forces around the globe without hindrance.
[5] Complete victory would be nice, but the Dutch will settle for just scoring more damage.
[6] The Protectorate is feeling the strain of restricted trade and the reallocation of command. Unable to field its full force, and with many ships still being held back for negligible repairs. Errors in organisation play a major part in the defeat.
[7] Politics is as politics does. Happy to unite in victory, squabble to the death in defeat.
[8] Previously, the lack of tax hikes and the good times against the Spanish kept the parliament together. When this is threatened, unity breaks down.
[9] Scotland has been under martial law for many years now. The pressure has been building up beneath the surface.
[10] The Scottish nobility spark the rebellion but as always other players have a desire to see Scotland rebel too.
[11] 1663 was reported to have been a very cold year. Raids by Scottish terrorists amongst other things have broken down morale for the Protectorate forces stationed in Scotland and as a result when the attacks come they are far more effective than they should have been.
[12] Scotland isn’t lost, but the Protectorate forces become divided and isolated. Pockets of forces exist but they can’t support each other. Those across the border are out of communication whereas those fortunate enough to fall back aren’t exactly welcomed.
[13] It always was an alliance of convenience. Multiple people striking together. With the enemy divide they now turn on each other as they lose the 1 piece of common ground they had.
[14] The ‘Scottish Problem’ will go down in history. Parliament is temporarily put on hold, as the Lord Protector wants to lead the campaign personally.
[15] This is going to get messy.
