Altogether Cromwell had judged him to be the very man to represent the Protectorate at Paris, and be even a match for Mazarin.

He was now thirty-four years of age.

He was nominated to the embassy in December 1655; but he did not go to his post till the following April .-- Hardly a less important appointment was that, in January 1655-6, of young Edward Montague to be one of the Admirals of the Fleet.

Blake, who had been cruising off Cadiz, and on whom there was the chief dependence for action against the Spaniards at sea, had felt the responsibility too great, and had applied for a colleague.
Penn, being in disgrace, was out of the question; and Montague, then a member of the Protector's Council, was chosen.

He had been one of Cromwell's favourites and disciples since the days of Marston Moor and Naseby, when, though hardly out of his teens, he had distinguished himself highly as a Parliamentary Colonel.