Dungeness exposes the limits of the Kentish Knock victory

The Commonwealth's decision to disperse ships after Kentish Knock left Robert Blake with only thirty-seven warships against Maarten Tromp's much larger force at Dungeness. Tromp had sailed with eighty-eight warships and five fire ships around a convoy of 270 merchant vessels; the account gives roughly seventy-three warships for the battle, though not all could take part. Some impressed merchant vessels retained civilian captains who refused battle, while other commanders still claimed a traditional freedom to leave formation or chase prizes. Blake lost five ships, and the defeat close to the English coast showed that Kentish Knock had not secured command of the sea. The shock led to sailing and fighting instructions that gave admirals stronger authority over captains and helped turn wartime experience into institutional reform.