Cromwell's England of the 1650s could, however, play a Great Power role more successfully than any previous government. His New Model Army, which emerged from the civil war, had at last closed the gap that traditionally existed between English troops and their Euro- pean counterparts. Organized and trained modern lines established by Maurice of Nassau and Gustavus Adolphus, hardened by years of conflict, well disciplined, and(usually) paid regularly, English army could be thrown into the European balance with some effect as was evident in its defeat of Spanish forces at the battle of the Dunes in 1658. Furthermore, the Commonwealth navy was, if anything, even more advanced for the age. Favored by the Commons because it had generally declared against Charles I during the civil war the fleet