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The first navy of [[England]] was established in the 9th century by King [[Alfred the Great]]. During the medieval period England had a significant naval force, defeating the [[France|French]] navy at the [[Battle of Sluys]] in 1340, in the early years of the [[Hundred Years War]]. Later, under Queen [[Elizabeth I]] the English fleet defeated the [[Spanish Armada]] in 1588, but suffered several later defeats at the hands of the Spanish navy.  

The first navy of [[England]] was established in the 9th century by King [[Alfred the Great]]. During the medieval period England had a significant naval force, defeating the [[France|French]] navy at the [[Battle of Sluys]] in 1340, in the early years of the [[Hundred Years War]]. Later, under Queen [[Elizabeth I]] the English fleet defeated the [[Spanish Armada]] in 1588, but suffered several later defeats at the hands of the Spanish navy.  

A permanent naval service, under [[Parliament]]ary control, was developed during the rule of [[Oliver Cromwell]] in the 1650s. In 1707, with the union of [[England]] and [[Scotland]] into the [[United Kingdom]], the Royal Scots Navy was merged into the Royal Navy. The Royal Navy suffered defeats against the Spanish navy at [[Cartagena de Indias]] in 1741, during the [[War of Jenkin's Ear]], and against the French navy at the 1781 [[Battle of the Chesapeake]].  

A permanent naval service, under [[Parliament]]ary control, was developed during the rule of [[Oliver Cromwell]] in the 1650s. In 1707, with the union of [[England]] and [[Scotland]] into the [[United Kingdom]], the Royal Scots Navy was merged into the Royal Navy. The Royal Navy suffered defeats against the Spanish navy at [[Cartagena de Indias]] in 1741, during the [[War of Jenkin's Ear]], and against the French navy at the 1781 [[Battle of the Chesapeake], which was atoned by victory in the [[Battle of the Saints]] the following year. The most important naval engagement of the 18th century was the [[Battle of Quiberon Bay]] in November 1759, which, like Trafalgar 46 years later, saved England from possible invasion.  

However, during the [[Napoleonic Wars]] the Royal Navy played a major role, reaching the height of its achievements at the [[Battle of Trafalgar]] in 1805, where a British fleet commanded by [[Horatio Nelson|Lord Nelson]] decisively defeated the French. During the remainder of the 19th century the Royal Navy became the world's dominant naval force, and played a major part in building and defending the [[British Empire]]. In 1906 HMS Dreadnought became the Royal Navy's first "all-big-gun" battleship, a key turning point in British naval history; subsequently, large battleships became the dominant form of seapower.  

During the [[Napoleonic Wars]] the Royal Navy played a major role, reaching the height of its achievements at the [[Battle of Trafalgar]] in 1805, where a British fleet commanded by [[Horatio Nelson|Lord Nelson]] decisively defeated a combined French Spanish fleet. During the remainder of the 19th century the Royal Navy became the world's dominant naval force, and played a major part in building and defending the [[British Empire]]. In 1906 HMS Dreadnought became the Royal Navy's first "all-big-gun" battleship, a key turning point in British naval history; subsequently, large battleships became the dominant form of seapower.  

In both the [[First World War]] and [[Second World War]], the Royal Navy played a key role in keeping the United Kingdom supplied with food, despite German attempts at a naval blockade using [[submarine]] warfare. After the Second World War, during the [[Cold War]] years, the disintegration of the [[British Empire]] forced Britain to downsize its navy, while the [[United States Navy]] took on the major role as the world's dominant sea power. The Royal Navy was re-organised with a strong emphasis on anti-[[submarine]] capabilities in the North [[Atlantic Ocean]], to counter the potential threat of the [[Soviet Union]].

In both the [[First World War]] and [[Second World War]], the Royal Navy played a key role in keeping the United Kingdom supplied with food, despite German attempts at a naval blockade using [[submarine]] warfare. After the Second World War, during the [[Cold War]] years, the disintegration of the [[British Empire]] forced Britain to downsize its navy, while the [[United States Navy]] took on the major role as the world's dominant sea power. The Royal Navy was re-organised with a strong emphasis on anti-[[submarine]] capabilities in the North [[Atlantic Ocean]], to counter the potential threat of the [[Soviet Union]].