The ship began as an improved Centurion-class solution when the planned 12-inch armament was unavailable. Fisher and Cyprian Bridge favoured a smaller vessel with a more closely matched main and secondary battery. Its speed and intended station role made it suitable for leading cruiser squadrons and representing British power abroad. Fisher repeatedly selected Renown as his flagship. That choice gave the ship influence beyond its nominal second-class status.
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Why HMS Renown was a key second-class battleship
Renown emerged from a delayed battleship programme as a fast, overseas flagship rather than a conventional line-of-battle ship.