The Battle of Leghorn, 4 March 1653, c.1653 (oil on canvas)

Creator: Reinier Nooms An interpretation of an action during the First Dutch War, 1652-1654. The increasing conflict of trade interests between England and the Netherlands in the first half of the 17th century made armed conflict likely and inevitable after Cromwell's Navigation Act of 1651. All three Anglo-Dutch wars which followed were solely maritime conflicts. By early in 1653 the English forces were split and their position in the Mediterranean became critical. Captain Badiley was trapped with four men-of-war at Porto Longone in Elba, and Captain Appleton with the 'Leopard', 50 guns and five hired merchantmen, was similarly placed at Leghorn, where the Dutch fleet was also hovering.