Second Anglo-Dutch War

After incidents involving the English capture of Dutch trading posts and colonies in West Africa and North America - subsequently recaptured by the Dutch - the English declared war on the Netherlands on March 4, 1665. This time the Dutch were better prepared, having extended its navy.

The first encounter between the nations was, as in the First Anglo-Dutch War, at sea. The war started with the Battle at Lowesoft[?], where the British gained a victory.

The huge Four Days Battle 1666 ended up in both sides claiming victory; Dutch admiral Michiel de Ruyter had retreated, but he had also caused twice as much losses for the English as they had for the Dutch.

After this, the English won several victories, but due to financial problems they were forced to keep quiet. On June 17, 1667, the Dutch raided the English fleet at Chatham[?], at the mouth of the River Thames, destroyed a large part of the fleet and capturing the Royal Charles, flagship of the English (the coat-of-arms from the ship is now on display in the Rijksmuseum.)

After this, the English were keen to sign a peace treaty, and so were the Dutch as they had to deal with a French invasion at the same time. On July 31, 1667, the Treaty of Breda[?] sealed peace between the two nations. The treaty allowed the English to keep the territory around New Amsterdam (the current New York), the Dutch received control over Suriname instead.

The peace did not last long, with England joining France to attack the Netherlands in 1672 - the Third Anglo-Dutch War.

Related links

• Anglo-Dutch Wars
• History of England
• History of the Netherlands

External links

• Painting of the Four Days Battle (http://www.artsmia.org/uia-bin/uia_doc.cgi/list/320?ref=/collection/paintings/index.cfm&uf=mia_collection_include.ldb&key=paintings&page_len=1&noframes=x&hr=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.artsmia.org%2F&nd=354#) by Abraham Storck
• De Ruyters' flagship 'The Seven Provinces' (http://www.bataviawerf.nl/gangway.htm) is being rebuilt in Dutch town Lelystad.
• Very readable, detailed and illustrated account of the Raid at Medway (http://www.hrofi.demon.co.uk/dutch) (near Chatham).