What were the reasons for the Spanish Armada?
the ambitions of King Phillip of Spain
the war in the Netherlands
Elizabeth’s react to events in the Netherlands
the action of the English privateers in the Spanish Main
the execution of Mary queen of Scots
When and what was the dutch rebellion in the Netherlands?
1566- Protestants rebelled against catholic rule of Spain and rioted, smashing catholic icons and religious images in churches
How did Phillip respond to the dutch rebellion?
Sent army of 10,000 troops under Duke of Alba and arrested over 18,000 dutch protestants
What was Elizabeth’s response to events in the Netherlands before 1575?
Provided unofficial support for the rebels, supplying them with money and weapons.
What was Elizabeth’s response to events in the Netherlands after the assassination of William the silent?
She signed the treaty of Nonsuch with the dutch rebels in 1585.
Who was Francis Drake and what did he do in the Spanish Main?
He was an English Privateer who led pirate attacks on Spanish treasure ships during the 1570s. This attacks angered Spain and had a significant impact on their economy.
How much worth of gold, silver and jewels did Francis drake bring back?
£140,000 (roughly £200 million today)
what is the full course of the Armada?
19th June - hit by storms it is forced to take fresh supplied at Corunna and sail north towards the English channel
29th July - sighted off Cornish Lizard Point and warning beacons were set off across the country
Sailed through English Channel in crescent formation
Anchored off Calais but delayed as the Duke of Parma’s troops had not arrived (they were delayed by dutch forces)
7th august - lord Howard sent fireships against the Armada and they broke their crescent formation
8th august - English warships attacked the scattered Armada in the battle of gravelines
9th august - Elizabeth rallied her troops at tilbury against an invasion
on the same day the wind changed direction and the armada sailed into the North Sea into dangerous waters
What happened on 20th April 1587? How did it contribute to the defeat of the Spanish Armada?
Drake attacked the Spanish fleet at Cadiz - major set back for the armada and the following year their barrels leaked and split as they were made of unseasoned wood
Why was Philips plan for the duke of parma’s army to cross the channel on barges flawed?
There were no harbours in the Netherlands deep enough for the ships and barges had to be built on the spot. England however had well made battle ships.
In February 1588, who did Philip choose to be in charge of the Armada?
Duke of Medina Sidonia
Who led the English fleet and who were his sea captains?
High Lord Admiral, Lord Howard
Sea captains: Francis Drake and John Hawkins
What were Spanish ships like?
They were slower and hard to manoeuvre.
Their cannons were heavier and had shorter range than the English.
Their cannons could only fire once.
The galleons were easy targets for the English.
What were English ships like?
John Hawkins spent years designing ships that were light and fast moving.
Spanish could not get close to the enemy, which was there usual naval tactic
What happened on 7th august?
England sent 8 fire ships into the Spanish fleet, which caused the fleet to break their crescent formation and head to see in all directions so were easy to attack.
What happened on the battle of Gravelines?
8th august:
3 Spanish ships lost, 1,000 killed and 800 wounded
English did not lose a single ship and only 50 were killed
What did Elizabeth do on the 9th of august?
She visited her troops at Tilbury on horseback and clad in armour and made a rousing speech
What happened on 9th august when the wind changed direction?
The Spanish sailed into the North Sea and had to proceed around the coast of Scotland and Ireland:
they lost fleet through storms
thousands drowned
only 67 ships returned to Spain
full of wounded, starving and sick men
What were the results of the Spanish Armada?
England remained protestant - no further catholic plots or rebellions for the rest of her reign
war against Spain continued for a further decade
still a successful Spanish army in the Netherlands under the leader the Duke of Parma
still a risk of Spanish invasion - Philip constructed a new armada of over 100 ships and on two occasions sent it to invade England - driven out by storms
English continued to support Dutch protestants in their rebellion against catholic Spain
English sailors continued to attack Spanish treasure ships and ports across the Spanish Main
increased anti-catholic feeling within England