Edward Montagu, 1st Earl of Sandwich (27 July 1625 – 28 May 1672) was an admiral of England during the Anglo-Dutch Wars. He was the mentor and cousin of Samuel Pepys, the famous English writer, and Montagu would be loyal to both Oliver Cromwell and King Charles II of England, dying for England at the Battle of Solebay in 1672.
Biography[]
Edward Montagu was born on 27 July 1625, the son of Sir Sidney Montagu. In June 1643, he raised an infantry regiment to fight for Parliament during the English Civil Wars, and in 1645 he entered the House of Commons as a politician. Montagu served Oliver Cromwell loyally, and he was rewarded with the rank of General at Sea in 1656; however, he would change his loyalty to King Charles II of England in 1660 after the House of Stuart was restored to power in the English Restoration, and Montagu was made an Admiral. Although he fought at the victory at the Battle of Lowestoft, he was criticized for his defeat at Vagen and removed from service. Montagu was sent as ambassador to Spain, but he would return to a naval career in 1672, when he was reappointed to a naval command. Montagu, who opposed the wars with the United Provinces, predicted his own death and bade his friends goodbye before leaving for the sea, and his ship Royal James was attacked by Dutch fireships at the Battle of Solebay. Montagu was killed in the battle, and he was identified only by his clothing.