| England was
the greatest of all Protestant countries. Due to its lack of military
organization, it could not take an active part either in the
Netherlands' struggle for independence or in the Thirty Years'
War. The same disorganization was decisive in the civil war, too. The
army of Charles I and the troops of Parliament, though they numbered
60-70 thousand soldiers, were both irregular armies, incapable of
achieving any significant victory. This situation remained unchanged
until 1645, when Cromwell began forming the skilled regular
parliamentary army which, when it was ready, presented a military
corporation of the strictest discipline, based on religion. About one
third of the entire was comprised of cavalry. Soldiers received huge
salaries and could afford to live like gentlemen. England also possessed
a very powerful, well equipped and numerous navy that prevailed at sea
for a long time after their famous victory over the Spanish Armada. Due
to its beneficial insular geographical position and strong fleet,
England allowed no enemy intruders to penetrate its territory. An active
colonial policy secured enormous territories of the "New
World" for England. |
