ABSTRACT
Although the Earl of Southampton had been mentioned early on as a possible commander of the expedition, Sir Robert Mansell was appointed to lead the fleet against Algiers.1 Born in 1573, Mansell was the fourth son of a Glamorganshire gentleman of no great fame or wealth.2 He was related to Charles Howard, Earl of Nottingham, the Lord High Admiral, and it was probably through his kinsman that Mansell secured entry into the navy.
