Q&A · 1:43:53-1:44:51

The Royal Navy's earliest Admirals of the Fleet

George Legge, Edward Russell, and George Rooke appear among the Royal Navy's earliest Admirals of the Fleet.

Admiral Of The Fleet Edward Russell George Legge, 1st Baron Dartmouth George Rooke Naval Command Royal Navy

Question

Who was the first admiral in the Royal Navy?

Short answer

Earlier titles are ambiguous. George Legge is identified as Admiral of the Fleet from 1688, followed by Edward Russell and Sir George Rooke.

Notes

Early naval command titles do not map neatly onto the later rank of Admiral of the Fleet. Lord Howard creates an earlier ambiguity. George Legge, Baron Dartmouth, is identified as Admiral of the Fleet from 1688. Edward Russell followed him, with Sir George Rooke named from 1696.