Richard Stayner facts for kids

Sir Richard Stayner (1625–1662) was an English naval officer. He supported the Parliamentary side during the English Civil War and the time when England was a republic, known as the Interregnum.

During the First Anglo-Dutch War, he commanded the Foresight. He fought in important battles like Portland (February 1653), the Gabbard (June 1653), and Battle of Scheveningen (July 1653). Later, during the Anglo-Spanish War (1654–1660), he became famous and earned a lot of money. This happened when he captured a large part of the Spanish treasure fleet near Cadiz in 1656.

He was made a knight by Oliver Cromwell, who was then the Lord Protector of England. This was for his help in Admiral Robert Blake's victory against Spanish ships at Santa Cruz in 1657. In 1660, he was a rear-admiral in the fleet that brought Charles II back to England. He was knighted again after the king returned. Sir Richard Stayner died in Lisbon while serving as a vice-admiral in the Mediterranean fleet.

Early Life and Naval Career

Richard Stayner was born in 1625 in Dorset, England. He was one of several children of Roger Stayner. When he was young, he worked in the Newfoundland fisheries, which involved fishing for cod.

He later joined the navy that supported the Parliament during the Civil War. In 1649, he became the commander of a small ship called the Elizabeth. This ship was used to catch small pirate ships and protect other ships in the North Sea.

First Commands and Early Battles

In August 1649, Stayner captured a small ship belonging to Prince Rupert, a Royalist leader. For this and other good services, he received money and a gold medal. By 1653, he was commanding the Foresight. He fought alongside Admiral Blake in the battle off Portland in February 1653.

In April 1653, he signed a statement with other naval officers. They agreed not to get involved in politics and to focus on protecting England from foreign enemies.

Key Battles of the Anglo-Dutch War

Stayner played a role in the battle off the Gabbard in June 1653. He commanded the Foresight in the white squadron. After the battle, he helped escort damaged ships and Dutch prizes back to England.

He then rejoined the fleet for the important battle of Scheveningen in July 1653. After the war ended, he was given a larger ship, the Plymouth. In this ship, he cruised the North Sea and captured several enemy vessels, including a valuable East Indiaman ship carrying silver.

Famous Victories and Knighthoods

In 1655, Stayner sailed to the Mediterranean with Admiral Blake. The next year, he was in command of the Bridgwater and sailed with Blake again to blockade Cadiz.

Capturing the Spanish Treasure Fleet

In September 1656, Stayner was left in command of a small group of ships off Cadiz. On September 8, he encountered the Spanish treasure fleet. The Spanish ships thought the English had left the area, so they were not expecting an attack.

Stayner had only three powerful ships with him: the Speaker, Bridgwater, and Plymouth. Since they were close to Cadiz, he decided to attack immediately on the morning of September 9. Of the four main Spanish ships, one escaped but hit a rock and sank. The other three were captured, but two of them caught fire and were destroyed with their valuable cargo. The fourth was taken by the English.

This victory was a huge blow to Spain. The captured treasure was worth about £600,000 to the English. The Spanish estimated their total loss at nearly two million pounds. News of this success reached England in October, and a special thanksgiving service was held.

The Battle of Santa Cruz

Stayner returned to England briefly but rejoined Blake in 1657. He played a key part in the destruction of Spanish ships at Santa Cruz on April 20. The Spanish ships were well-protected by forts and batteries on shore.

Admiral Blake realized it would be impossible to capture the enemy ships, but they could destroy them. Stayner was sent to start the attack, supported by Blake and the rest of the fleet. Within a few hours, the Spanish were driven from their ships and defenses. The English took control of the ships, and since they couldn't be taken away, they were all set on fire and burned.

The historian Edward Hyde praised this action, saying it was "miraculous." For his brave actions, Stayner was made a knight by Oliver Cromwell in August 1657.

Service After the Protectorate

For the next two years, Stayner commanded in the Downs, acting as commander-in-chief for much of the time. In 1659, he was a rear-admiral with Montagu in the Sound.

In April 1660, he was appointed rear-admiral of the fleet that went to bring King Charles II back to England. For this important service, he was knighted again on September 24, 1660. His earlier knighthood from Cromwell was not recognized by the new king.

Later Life and Death

In 1661, Stayner was again commander-in-chief in the Downs. In June, he sailed to Lisbon and the Mediterranean as rear-admiral under Montagu, who was now the Earl of Sandwich.

When Sandwich took control of Tangier, Stayner was put in charge of the first group of sailors who went ashore. Later, when Sandwich went to Lisbon to bring Catherine of Braganza to London, Stayner remained as vice-admiral of the fleet under Sir John Lawson.

Stayner became dangerously ill in July 1662 and died around October 9. He wished to be buried next to his wife, who had died in 1658. His body was preserved and brought back to England on the ship Mary, arriving at Spithead on November 3.

Family Life

Richard Stayner was married to Elizabeth (1635?–1662), who was the daughter of Thomas Hebbe. They had two children, a son named Richard and a daughter named Elizabeth.

In 1663, his son Richard asked for £300 to be repaid. This money had been given by his father for the king's service. The claim was approved, but it's not clear if the money was ever paid back.