Sir Herbert Richmond (1871–1946) was a prominent naval officer and historian who wrote extensively on maritime history. Originally published in 1920, this book forms part one of Richmond's three-volume series on the role of the Navy during the War of Jenkins' Ear, a prolonged conflict between Britain and Spain that lasted from 1739 to 1748. The text offers a detailed analysis of the initial stages of the conflict and the reasons for the outbreak of war. Appendices and a variety of illustrative material are also provided. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in naval history and eighteenth-century history in general.