The Royal Navy has historically played an extremely important role in the defence of the UK and the British Empire. Because no point in the UK is more than 74 miles (120 km) from the sea, any enemy power that achieved naval superiority would put the nation in great peril. Moreover, a strong navy was vital in maintaining supply and communication links with distant locations in the Empire.
England's first navy was established by King Alfred, but soon fell into disrepair. The first reformation and major expansion of the Royal Navy occurred during the reign of King Henry VIII whose ships the "Great Harry" and the "Mary Rose" engaged the French navy in a battle in the Solent in 1545. The second reformation was under Admiral Robert Blake during Oliver Cromwell's Commonwealth.
The Naval Service didn't really exist until the mid 17th century when the Fleet Royal was incorporated into the Government following the defeat of Charles I in the English Civil War. The incorporation of the royal navy was in contrast to the land forces, which are descended from parliamentary forces and hence are not royal.
Between 1690 and the beginning of World War I, the Royal Navy was the strongest navy in the world with almost uncontested power over the world's oceans. In that time, the Royal Navy suffered only one major defeat, at the Battle of the Chesapeake, and was able to defeat decisively all challengers, as at the Battle of Trafalgar. They did, however, lose numerous small engagements.
During World War II, the Royal Navy played a vital role in keeping the UK supplied with food, arms and raw materials. See Battle of the Atlantic (1940). It was also vital in guarding the sea lanes that enabled Britain to fight in remote parts of the world such as North Africa, the Mediterranean and the Far East. Naval supremacy was vital to the amphibious operations carried out, such as the invasions of West Africa, Sicily, Italy and Normandy. See British military history of World War II.
After World War II, the growing power of the United States and the retreat from empire reduced the role of the Royal Navy. The most important post-war operation conducted solely by the Royal Navy involved defeating Argentina in the Falkland Islands War. The Royal Navy also participated in the Gulf War, the Kosovo conflict, the Afghanistan Campaign and the 2003 Iraq War.
Nicknames include "The Mob", "The Andrew" and "The Senior Service". One point of pride of the Royal Navy is that it is known simply as the Royal Navy as opposed to other navies which have the national name in them.
The formation of Royal Dockyards at London; Devonport in Plymouth; Portsmouth; Chatham; Rosyth...
The Napoleonic campaigns of the navy have been the subject of many novels including Patrick O'Brian's Jack Aubrey, C.S. Forester's Horatio Hornblower, Alexander Kent's Richard Bolitho.
HMS (acronym) = Her (or His) Majesty's Ship
History
Component and associated units of the Royal Navy
Royal Navy Timeline
Famous sailors of the Royal Navy
In approximate chronological order / seniority.
Famous ships of the Royal Navy
For a full list, see List of Royal Navy ship names
Weapons Systems
See Also
External link