The Spanish Armada Revision Guide

Vocabulary and key figure flashcards covering the events, ships, commanders, and outcomes of the 1588 Spanish Armada invasion.

Philip II

King of Spain from 1527-1598 who was the wealthiest and most powerful king in the world at the time, ruling Spain, the Netherlands, parts of Italy, and lands in Central and South America.

Spanish Armada

An armed fleet of about 130 ships and nearly 30,000 men sent by Philip II to invade England in July 1588.

Sir Francis Drake

An English pirate knighted by Elizabeth who attacked the port of Cadiz in 1587 and served as a Vice-Admiral during the Armada invasion.

Mary Queen of Scots

Elizabeth’s Catholic heir and prisoner whom Philip had promised to support with troops in plots against Elizabeth.

Duke of Parma

Philip’s best general who was positioned in the Netherlands with 20,000 troops to join the Armada at Calais.

Beacons

An early warning signal system set up by Elizabeth along the south coast to alert England when the Armada was first sighted.

Duke of Medina Sidonia

The Spanish Commander of the fleet who was described as brave and well-organised but inexperienced at sea.

Lord Howard of Effingham

The commander of the English fleet who was inexperienced but supported by experienced Vice-Admirals.

John Hawkins

One of the two experienced Vice-Admirals who served under Lord Howard of Effingham in the English fleet.

Crescent formation

The strategic arrangement adopted by the Spanish Armada on 29 July to protect its ships when first sighted by the English.

Fireships

Eight burning vessels sent by the English on 7 August towards the Spanish, causing panic and breaking the Armada's crescent formation.

Battle of Gravelines

A nine-hour battle on 8 August where the English successfully damaged Spanish ships with cannon fire while taking little damage themselves.

Cadiz

The Spanish port attacked by Sir Francis Drake in 1587, which damaged the Armada and delayed it by many months.

Lisbon

The location from which the Armada set sail for England in May 1588 before being hit by storms.

Kent

The location where the Armada's plan intended for the troops to land before attacking and capturing London.