the Spanish Armada

  • 130 ships, 27000 soldiers

  • Phillip 4 motives- religious division- pope promised forgiveness to anyone attacking England- god wanted him to restore Catholicism, expand spains empire- England had allies with Spanish enemies, France would support Spain, England had been provoking Spain for months- challenging control of Netherlands, stole gold

  • Appeared Spanish victory was sealed- secure position in Netherlands

  • Plan to sail through English Channel to Calais, Duke of Parma march 27,000 men, shipped to England and march onto London

  • English catholics would rise alongside- force Elizabeth to surrender- allow Catholicism- serious threat

  • Timing was crucial

  • Armada spotted July 1588- ships captured at Plymouth

  • Lord Howard commanded 8 empty English ships be filled with gunpowder and set on fire - blew towards armada through wind

  • 1588 battle of gravelines- poor weather helped English, many ships damaged or lost, all English ships survived

  • English victory- communication through Spanish, Spanish ships at sea longer- food supplies rotted, English had superior tactics- caused to drift out of formation

  • Position of English- close enough to attack but not be bordered- face little damage

  • Better equipped- guns may need to be reloaded quicker than Spanish, better leadership, high morale

  • Elizabeth provided famous speech ‘heart and stomach of a king’

  • Francis drake, lord howard and john Hawkins masters of trade, strategists, influenced victory

  • Spanish commander no naval background

  • Weather was a big help- many Spanish ships blown towards Ireland and destroyed

  • Improved English reputation and trade opportunities- Elizabeth strengthened her position within images in portraits

  • Alliance with Netherlands- no longer isolated

  • Strengthened Protestantism - clear victory convinced many god was on englands side

  • Elizabeth produced commemorative medal ‘god blew and they were scattered’- built loyalty from public

  • Spanish empire began to decline

In 1588, the Spanish Armada, consisting of 130 ships and 27,000 soldiers, aimed to invade England under Philip II for religious and imperial motives. Spain sought to restore Catholicism and perceived England as a threat due to its alliances and provocations. The Armada was spotted in July, leading to a pivotal naval engagement at Gravelines, where poor weather and English tactical superiority resulted in a significant defeat for Spain. Key figures like Francis Drake and Lord Howard played crucial roles in the English victory. The triumph improved England's reputation and trade, bolstered Protestantism, and marked the beginning of Spain's decline as a dominant empire, culminating in Elizabeth I's famous speech emphasizing her resolve and the production of a commemorative medal heralding their success.