The Spanish ArmadasThe story of the Spanish Armada, sent crashing to destruction in stormy seas by English battleships, is one of the most famous and popular of British history. Philip II of Spain's crusade to conquer Protestant England was the culmination of an undeclared war between the two nations which had simmered for years. The dramatic destruction of the Spanish fleet by Howard, Drake and their men ensured that England kept her political and religious freedom--but it was not the end of the story. This history places the Spanish Armada in its true context, as the most spectacular of Spain's continued attempts to return England to Catholicism, first through friendship, then by marriage and finally through war. It explains that the 1588 battle was only one in a series of Spanish naval campaigns against England--it was not until the 17th century that peace was fully assured. |
Contents
The Peaceful Invasion | 11 |
Philip and Elizabeth | 27 |
The Widening Chasm | 38 |
Copyright | |
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aboard Adelantado Admiral anchor armed merchantmen army attack attempt Azores battle Bertendona Cadiz Calais Captain captured Castle Catholic Channel coast command Coruña crew Cuellar death defeat Diego Flores Drake Duke Dunkirk Dutch Earl Elizabeth Elizabeth of Valois enemy England English fleet English ships Essex Europe expedition favour fight fire fire-ships flagship force four France French Frobisher galleasses galleons galleys guns harbour Hawkins Henry Howard Hugo de Moncada hundred tons Ireland Irish King Kinsale land later Leyva Lisbon London Lord Mary Medina Sidonia miles Mountjoy naval Netherlands Norris Parma Pedro de Valdes Philip Philip II pinnaces Plymouth port Portugal Portuguese Prince Protestant Queen Ralegh reached Recalde Revenge sail sailors San Juan San Martin Santa Cruz Scotland sent shot Sir Francis soldiers Spain Spaniards Spanish Armada Spanish fleet Spanish ships Spinola squadron thousand throne took town troops Tyrone vessels warships wind Zubiaur