Family and Early Life
Blake was one of thirteen siblings born to a merchant in Bridgwater, Somerset, where he attended Bridgwater Grammar School For Boys. After attending Wadham College, Oxford, he had hoped to follow an academic career, but failed to secure a fellowship to Merton College, probably because of his political and religious views (although it is said his height, 5 foot 6 inches, went against him).
After his departure from university in 1625, it is believed that Blake was engaged in trade, and a Dutch writer subsequently claimed that he had lived for 'five of six years' in Schiedam. Having returned to Bridgwater, probably because of the death of his mother in 1638, he decided to stand for election to Parliament.
Read more about this topic: Robert Blake (admiral)
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