I have been running many simulation runs for the battle that for which I have implemented scenarios. The main lesson is that the English 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Rates are so dominant, that the Dutch should have not had a chance, in the First Anglo-Dutch War. In particular, the 2nd Rates, with demi-cannons on the lower tier and a great burden (750-900-some tons), that the Dutch, largely equipped with 12pdrs, should not have been able to do much.
My tentative theory to explain this has changed. I used to think that the Dutch tactics of mutual support and concentration could explain the situation. I now believe that it was the lack of order and the leadership of Robert Blake may well be ther explanation. In particular, at the Battle of the Kentish Knock, the English should have been able to dominate, as they did later at the Gabbard and Scheveningen, but instead, the Dutch only lost two ships: one sunk and one captured.
