This ambitious new study looks at England's rise as a great maritime power during the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. Loades considers the development of Tudor maritime policy and shows how there was a crucial "turning point" when English government began to take a proactive role in the commercial fortunes of the country. He also shows how England's accelerating seapower was made possible by commercial changes in Europe. The study considers other important themes including: *The Maritime revolution 1550-1558 *The Commonwealth and Naval Policy *The Restoration Navy *Later 17th Century Colonial Expansion