Difference between revisions of "Spanish Armada" - New World Encyclopedia

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:''For the navy of Spain, see [[Spanish Navy]].
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{{for|the modern navy of Spain|Armada Española}}
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{{Infobox Military Conflict
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|conflict=Battle of Gravelines
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|partof=the [[Anglo-Spanish War (1585)|Anglo-Spanish War]]
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|image=[[Image:Loutherbourg-Spanish_Armada.jpg|300px|]]
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|caption=''Defeat of the Spanish Armada'', [[1588]]-[[08-08]] by [[Philippe-Jacques de Loutherbourg]], painted 1797, depicts the battle of Gravelines.
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|date=[[August 8]] [[1588]]
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|place=[[English Channel]], near [[Gravelines]], [[France]] (then part of the [[Netherlands]])
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|result=Strategic English/Dutch victory<br>Tactical draw
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|combatant1=[[Image:Flag of England.svg|border|22px]] [[England]]<br>[[Image:Prinsenvlag.svg|border|22px]] [[Dutch Republic]]
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|combatant2=[[Image:Flag of New Spain.svg|border|22px]] [[Spain]]
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|commander1=[[Charles Howard, 1st Earl of Nottingham|Charles Howard]]<br>[[Francis Drake]]
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|commander2=[[Alonso de Guzman El Bueno, 7th Duke of Medina Sidonia|Duke of Medina Sidonia]]
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|strength1=34 warships<br>163 armed merchant vessels
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|strength2=22 [[galleons]]<br>108 armed merchant vessels
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|casualties1=50&ndash;100 dead<ref>Lewis, ''The Spanish Armada'', p. 184</ref><br>~400 wounded
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|casualties2=600 dead,<br>800 wounded,<ref>Lewis, p. 182</ref><br>397 captured,<br>4 merchant ships sunk or captured
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}}
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{{Campaignbox Anglo-Spanish War}}
  
The '''Spanish Armada''' or "Great/Grand Armada" ([[Spanish language|Old Spanish]]: ''Grande y Felicísima Armada'', "great and most fortunate navy"; but called by the English, with ironic intention, "the Invincible Fleet") was the Spanish fleet that sailed against [[England]] under the command of the Duke of Medina Sedonia in [[1588]].
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The '''Spanish Armada''' or '''Great Armada''' ([[Spanish language|Old Spanish]]: ''Grande y Felicísima Armada'', meaning "Great and Most Fortunate Navy") was the [[Spain|Spanish]] fleet that sailed against [[England]] under the command of the [[Alonso de Guzman El Bueno, 7th Duke of Medina Sidonia|Duke of Medina Sidona]] in 1588.
  
The Armada was sent by the [[Roman Catholic|Catholic]] King [[Philip II of Spain]], with the intention of escorting an invading Spanish army from the continent and across the southern [[North Sea]], near the [[Strait of Dover]], for a landing in south-east England. The aim was to suppress English support for the Dutch rebels in the [[Spanish Netherlands]], to cut off attacks against both the Spanish possessions in the New World and the Atlantic treasure fleets, and to convert England (then ruled by the protestant [[Queen Elizabeth I]]) back to Roman Catholicism. The expedition was supported by the [[Pope]], and proved the largest engagement of the undeclared [[Anglo–Spanish War (1585)|Anglo–Spanish War]] ([[1585]]-[[1604]]).
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The Armada was sent by King [[Philip II of Spain]], who had been [[king consort]] of England until the death of his wife [[Mary I of England]] thirty years earlier. The purpose of the expedition was to escort the [[Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma|Duke of Parma's]] army of [[tercio]]s from the [[Spanish Netherlands]] across the [[North Sea]] for a landing in south-east England. Once the army had suppressed English support for the [[Dutch Republic|United Provinces]] &mdash; part of the [[Spanish Netherlands]] &mdash; it was intended to cut off attacks against [[Spanish Empire|Spanish possessions]] in the [[New World]] and the Atlantic [[Spanish treasure fleet|treasure fleet]]s. It was also hoped to reverse the [[English Reformation|Protestant Reformation in England]], and to this end the expedition was supported by [[Pope Sixtus V]], with the promise of a subsidy should it make land.<ref>{{CathEncy|url=http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Catholic_Encyclopedia_(1913)/The_Spanish_Armada|title=The Spanish Armada}}</ref> The command of the fleet was originally entrusted to [[Alvaro de Bazan]], a highly experienced naval commander who died a few months before the fleet sailed from Lisbon in May 1588.
  
The Armada consisted of 131 warships and converted merchant ships, and was defeated by [[Royal Navy|English naval squadrons]], with the assistance of the Dutch navy, at the Battle of [[Gravelines]] in the North Sea, off the coastal border between [[France]] and the [[Spanish Netherlands]]. A [[fire ship|fire-ship]] attack drove Medina Sedonia's ships from their anchorage, and the Spanish were then forced to abandon their rendezvous with the invasion army in the face of superior English artillery.
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The Armada consisted of about 130 warships and converted merchant ships. After forcing its way up the [[English Channel]], it was attacked by a fleet of 200 [[Royal Navy|English ships]], assisted by the Dutch navy, in the North Sea at [[Battle of Gravelines| Gravelines]] off the coastal border between [[France]] and the [[Spanish Netherlands]]. A [[fire ship|fire-ship]] attack drove the Armada ships from their safe anchorage, and in the ensuing battle the Spanish abandoned their rendezvous with Parma's army.
  
The Armada was scattered and blown north up the east coast of England, and attempted a return to Spain by sailing around Scotland and out into the Atlantic, past Ireland. But very severe weather destroyed a large portion of the fleet, and more than 24 vessels were wrecked on the north and western coasts of Ireland, with the survivors having to seek refuge in Scotland. Of the Armada's initial complement of vessels, about half made it safe to Spain.
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The Armada was blown north up the east coast of England and in a hasty strategic move, attempted a return to Spain by sailing around Scotland and out into the Atlantic, past Ireland. But very severe weather destroyed a portion of the fleet, and more than 24 vessels were wrecked on the north and western coasts of Ireland, with the survivors having to seek refuge in Scotland. Of the Armada's initial complement of vessels, about 50 did not return to Spain. However, the loss to Philip's Royal Navy was comparatively small: only seven ships failed to return, and of these only three were lost to enemy action.
  
The battle is greatly misunderstood, as many myths have surrounded it. [http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~ulm/history/sp_armada.htm] English writers have insisted it was a pivotal moment in European history, which is to ignore the fact that for the royal navy of Spain it marked the beginning of an increase in supremacy, rather than a long decline.
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The expedition was the most significant engagement of the undeclared [[Anglo–Spanish War (1585)|Anglo–Spanish War]] (1585–1604). Centuries of British literature perpetuated many myths about the event, treating it as a swing in naval dominance towards the English at the expense of the Spanish.<ref name = "Harvard">Wes Ulm, [http://www.historybuff.com/library/refarmada4.html The Spanish Armada], Harvard.</ref> In fact, modern scholarship presents it as the beginning of an increase in Spanish naval supremacy, which started to be reversed arguably during the [[Thirty Years War]] and most likely in the early part of the 19th century.<ref>Lewis, 233. Lewis notes that "Philip profited from defeat; Elizabeth learned nothing from victory.</ref>
  
 
==Execution==
 
==Execution==
 
[[Image:Routes armada.gif|right|thumb|270px|Route taken by the Spanish Armada]]
 
[[Image:Routes armada.gif|right|thumb|270px|Route taken by the Spanish Armada]]
[[Image:SpanishArmada Isle of Wight.jpg|thumb|270px|English squadrons attack the Armada crescent off the Isle of Wight]]
 
  
On May 28, 1588, the Armada, with around 130 ships and 18,000 soldiers, 7,000 sailors, 1,500 brass guns and 1,000 iron guns, set sail from Lisbon heading for the English Channel. An army of 30,000 men stood in the Spanish Netherlands, waiting for the fleet to arrive. The plan was to land the original force in Plymouth and transfer the land army to somewhere near London (this was never performed), mustering 55,000 men, a huge army for this time. For example, the armies invading Scotland earlier the same century under Henry VIII rarely exceeded 20,000. However, the English fleet was prepared and waiting in Plymouth for news of Spanish movements. It took until May 30 for all of the Armada to leave port and, on the same day, Elizabeth's ambassador Dr Valentine Dale met Parma's representatives to begin peace negotiations. It was not until July 17 that the peace negotiations were wholly abandoned.
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On [[May 28]] [[1588]], the Armada, with around 130 ships, 8,000 sailors and 18,000 soldiers, 1,500 brass guns and 1,000 iron guns, set sail from Lisbon in Portugal, headed for the English Channel. An army of 30,000 men stood in the Spanish Netherlands, waiting for the fleet to arrive. The plan was to land the original force in Plymouth and transfer the land army to somewhere near London, mustering 55,000 men, a huge army for this time. The English fleet was prepared and waiting in Plymouth for news of Spanish movements. It took until May 30 for all of the Armada to leave port and, on the same day, Elizabeth's ambassador in the Netherlands, Dr Valentine Dale, met Parma's representatives to begin peace negotiations. On July 17 negotiations were abandoned.
  
===The English Channel===
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Delayed by bad weather, the Armada was not sighted in England until [[July 19]], when it appeared off [[The Lizard]] in [[Cornwall]]. The news was conveyed to London by a sequence of beacons that had been constructed the length of the south coast of England. That same night, 55 ships of the English fleet set out in pursuit from [[Plymouth]] and came under the command of [[Charles Howard, 1st Earl of Nottingham|Lord Howard of Effingham]] (later Earl of Nottingham) and Sir [[John Hawkins]]. However, Hawkins acknowledged his subordinate, [[Sir Francis Drake]], as the more experienced naval commander and gave him some control during the campaign. In order to execute their "line ahead" attack, the English tacked upwind of the Armada, thus gaining a significant maneuvering advantage.
The Armada, having been delayed by bad weather, was not sighted until [[July 19]]. This occurred off [[The Lizard]], [[Cornwall]], but a sequence of beacons had been constructed the length of the south coast of England, so that the news was known in London within two days. The Armada followed the coast as far as [[Plymouth]], where the 55 ships of the English fleet had set sail on the night of the 19th. The English were under the command of [[Charles Howard, 1st Earl of Nottingham|Lord Howard of Effingham]] (later Earl of Nottingham), and Sir John Hawkins. However, Hawkins acknowledged [[Sir Francis Drake]], technically his subordinate, as the more experienced naval commander and gave him effective control. In order to execute their "line ahead" attack, the English tacked behind the Armada to place them upwind of the Spanish, thus gaining a significant maneuvering advantage.
 
  
Over the next week there followed two inconclusive engagements, at [[Eddystone]] and [[Portland, Dorset]]. However, at the [[Isle of Wight]] there was an opportunity for the Armada to create a temporary base in protected waters and wait for word from Parma's army. In a full-on attack, the English fleet broke into four groups with Drake coming in with a large force from the south. At that critical moment Medina-Sidonia sent reinforcements south and forced the Armada back into the open sea in order to avoid sandbanks. This left two Spanish wrecks near the Isle of Wight and, with no safe harbours, forced the Armada to Calais, whether the Spanish army was ready or not.
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Over the next week there followed two inconclusive engagements, at [[Eddystone]] and the [[Isle of Portland]]. At the [[Isle of Wight]] the Armada had the opportunity to create a temporary base in protected waters and wait for word from Parma's army. In a full-scale attack, the English fleet broke into four groups with Drake coming in with a large force from the south. At that critical moment, Medina Sidonia sent reinforcements south and ordered the Armada back into the open sea in order to avoid sandbanks. This left two Spanish wrecks, and with no secure harbours nearby the Armada sailed on to Calais, without regard to the readiness of Parma's army.
  
At the same time, [[Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester]], was assembling a force of 4,000 soldiers at [[Tilbury Fort]], Essex, to defend the estuary of the [[River Thames]] in the event of a Spanish landing. ([[Spanish Armada#Tilbury speech|See below.]]) This force and other coastal defences were rendered unnecessary when the English naval battle plan proved effective in preventing the Armada from protecting Parma's invasion barges.  
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On [[July 27]], the Spanish anchored off [[Calais]] in a crescent-shaped, tightly-packed defensive formation, not far from Parma's army of 16,000, which was waiting at [[Dunkirk, France|Dunkirk]]. There was no deep-water port along that coast of France and the [[Low Countries]] where the fleet might shelter &mdash; always a major difficulty for the expedition &mdash; and the Spanish found themselves vulnerable as night drew on.
  
In [[1587]] the Earl of Leicester had been recalled from the Netherlands, where he had been commanding officer of the English forces. Command of the English force remaining there fell to Lord Christie. Following the defeat of the Armada, he was given credit for having hindered Parma's efforts to get his invasion force together quickly. How far it was really effective is not clear: the unit is said to have numbered 1,500. It is likely that the English presence had made the independent Dutch more sympathetic to the English cause. However, they were already interested, as they had better information about the approaching ''armada'' than Parma did and it was not wholly clear that the fleet was not coming to attack them. The difference in effectiveness between the intelligence and communication systems of the Independent Dutch and the Spanish may have lain in the help and hindrance afforded by the English to the respective parties. [[Francis Walsingham|Walsingham]] had already shown that he had recognized the importance of [[Military intelligence|intelligence]].
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At midnight of [[July 28]], the English set eight fireships (filled with pitch, gunpowder, and tar) alight and sent them downwind among the closely-anchored Spanish vessels. The Spanish feared that these might prove as deadly as the '[[hellburners]]'<ref name = "Drizzle">{{PDFlink|[http://www.drizzle.com/~celyn/jherek/16thMilSci.pdf  Hellburners]}}.</ref> used against them to deadly effect at the [[Siege of Antwerp (1584-1585)|Siege of Antwerp]].<ref name = "Folio">[http://www.foliosoc.co.uk/folio/spanish_armada.php  The Spanish Armada]. London: The Folio Society.</ref> Two were intercepted and towed away, but the others bore down on the fleet. Medina Sidonia's flagship, and a few other of the principal warhips, held their positions, but the rest of the fleet cut their cables and scattered in confusion, with the result that only one Spanish ship was burned. But the fireships had managed to break the crescent formation, and the fleet now found itself too far to leeward of Calais in the rising south-westerly wind to recover its position. In their haste to escape quickly, many Spanish ships cut their anchor lines; the loss of their anchors would prove important later in the campaign. The lighter English ships closed in for battle at Gravelines.
  
===Calais and the fire ships===
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===Battle of Gravelines===
On [[July 27]], the Spanish anchored off [[Calais]], not far from Parma's waiting army of 16,000 in [[Dunkirk, France|Dunkirk]], in a crescent-shaped, tightly-packed defensive formation. They were compelled to do this by the lack of a deep-water port in France or the Low Countries where the Armada could seek shelter&mdash;a major oversight on Philip's part, although most European ports were not designed to accommodate a fleet like the Armada in the first place.
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[[Gravelines]] was then part of [[Flanders]] in the [[Spanish Netherlands]], close to the border with France and the closest Spanish territory to England. Medina-Sidonia tried to re-form his fleet there, and was reluctant to sail further east owing to the danger from the shoals off Flanders, from which his Dutch enemies had removed the sea-marks. The Spanish army had been expected to join the fleet in barges sent from ports along the Flemish coast, but communications were far more difficult than anticipated, and without notice of the Armada's arrival Parma needed another six days to bring his troops up, while Medina-Sidonia waited at anchor.
 
 
At midnight of [[July 28]], the English set eight fireships (filled with pitch, gunpowder, and tar) alight and sent them downwind among the closely-anchored Spanish vessels. The Spaniards feared that these were as deadly as the '[[hellburners]]' [http://www.drizzle.com/~celyn/jherek/16thMilSci.pdf]  used against them in the [[Siege of Antwerp (1584-1585)|Siege of Antwerp]]. [http://www.foliosoc.co.uk/folio/spanish_armada.php]  Two were intercepted and towed away but many of the Spanish ships cut their cables in order to escape. Medina Sidonia's and a few other "core" ships were exceptions to this. Only one ship in the Spanish fleet was actually burnt by the fireships, but the Armada scattered in confusion and Spanish morale was damaged. More importantly, the Spanish ships were now too far to leeward of Calais in the rising south-westerly wind to recover their position, and the lighter English vessels could now engage them individually.
 
  
===Battle of Gravelines===
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The English had learned much of the Armada's strengths and weaknesses during the skirmishes in the English Channel, and accordingly conserved their heavy shot and powder prior to their attack at Gravelines on [[August 8]]. During the battle, the Spanish heavy guns proved unwieldy, and their gunners had not been trained to reload &mdash; in contrast to their English counterparts, they fired once and then jumped to the rigging to attend to their main task as marines ready to board enemy ships. Evidence from wrecks in Ireland shows that much of the Armada's ammunition was never spent.
{{Infobox Military Conflict
 
|conflict=Battle of Gravelines
 
|partof=the [[Anglo-Spanish War (1585)|Anglo-Spanish War]]
 
|image=[[Image:Loutherbourg-Spanish_Armada.jpg|300px|]]
 
|caption=''Defeat of the Spanish Armada'', [[1588]]-[[08-08]] by [[Philippe-Jacques de Loutherbourg]], painted [[1796]], depicts the battle of Gravelines.
 
|date=[[July 29]] [[1588]]
 
|place=[[English Channel]], near [[Gravelines]], [[France]] (then part of the [[Netherlands]])
 
|result=Tactical draw<br>Strategic English/Dutch victory
 
|combatant1=[[England]]<br>[[Dutch Republic]]
 
|combatant2=[[Spain]]<br>[[Portugal]]
 
|commander1=[[Charles Howard, 1st Earl of Nottingham|Charles Howard]]<br>[[Francis Drake]]
 
|commander2=[[Alonso de Guzman El Bueno, 7th Duke of Medina Sidonia|Duke of Medina Sidonia]]
 
|strength1=34 warships<br>163 merchant vessels
 
|strength2=22 galleons<br>108 merchant vessels
 
|casualties1= 500 dead or wounded
 
|casualties2=600 dead,<br>397 captured,<br>1,000 wounded,<br>3 merchant ships sunk<br>1 merchant ship captured
 
}}
 
  
[[Gravelines]] is now in France but in 1588 it was in [[Flanders]], part of the [[Spanish Netherlands]], close to the border with France. It was the nearest Spanish territory to England. Medina-Sidonia tried to re-form his fleet off Gravelines, but was reluctant to sail further east owing to the danger from the shoals off Flanders from which the Dutch allies of England had removed the sea-marks. He had expected Parma to arrive promptly with troops in small vessels from ports along the Flemish coast. However, communications had been much more difficult than anticipated so that Parma had had no notice of his arrival. He needed another six days to bring his troops up with the Spanish fleet. Meanwhile Medina-Sidonia was left waiting off Calais and Gravelines.
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In 2002 Dr Colin Martin of the [[University of St Andrews]] claimed that many Spanish ships carried [[cannon]] shot that was the wrong size for their cannon. The equipment had been gathered from a wide variety of sources in the Spanish [[Habsburg]] lands which were world-wide and, in Europe, scattered between the Heel of [[Italy]], southern [[Portugal]] and the [[Ems (river)|Ems]] [[estuary]]. The notion of standardization had barely been explored at this stage.  
  
The English had learned much of the Armada's strengths and weaknesses during the skirmishes in the English Channel. That done, they had carefully conserved their heavy shot and powder. The English attacked on [[July 29]]. Eleven Spanish ships were lost or damaged (though the most seaworthy Atlantic-class vessels escaped largely unscathed), and the Spaniards suffered nearly 2,000 casualties from the battle as well as illness and exposure, before the English fleet ran out of ammunition. The Spaniards' heavy guns were unwieldy and their crews were not trained to re-load during a battle as were the English crews, but after firing once, left the decks for their main job as marines in the rigging. Consequently, given the greater maneuverability of the English fleet, it was possible to provoke the Spanish to fire but to stay out of effective range until the heavy shot was loosed before closing and firing repeated and damaging broadsides into the Spanish ships. The English maneuverability, too, enabled them to maintain a position to [[windward]] so that the heeling Spaniards' hulls were exposed to damage below the water-line. Wrecks of the Spanish ships discovered in Ireland still contain most of their ammunition.
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With its superior maneuverability, the English fleet provoked Spanish fire while staying out of range. Once the Spanish had loosed their heavy shot, the English then closed, firing repeated and damaging broadsides into the enemy ships. This superiority also enabled them to maintain a position to [[windward]] so that the heeling Armada hulls were exposed to damage below the water-line.  
  
English casualties were much lighter, initially in the low hundreds from the battle itself, but a raging [[typhus]] epidemic soon swept throughout the defensive fleet, killing thousands of English sailors. Although the Gravelines engagement itself was largely an indecisive stalemate, it afforded the English defenders some breathing space as Medina-Sidonia, unaware of the scarcity of English ammunition, soon directed the Armada northward, away from the Flemish coast, pursued by the bluffing English fleet with its empty shot lockers. The Armada was unable to re-form to return and was soon too far away to beat back even had it been possible to communicate the order to do so.
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The main handicap for the Spanish was their determination to board the enemy's ships and thrash out a victory in hand-to-hand fighting. This had proved effective at the [[Battle of Lepanto]] in 1571, but the English were aware of this Spanish strength and avoided it.
  
In 2002 Dr [[Colin Martin]] of the [[University of St Andrews]] claimed that many Spanish ships carried cannon shot that was the wrong size for their cannon. The equipment had been gathered from a wide variety of sources in the Spanish [[Habsburg]] lands which were world-wide and, in Europe, scattered between the Heel of [[Italy]], southern [[Portugal]] and the [[Ems]] [[estuary]]. The notion of standardization had barely been explored at this stage. However, the Spaniards' main difficulty was that their thinking had been directed towards boarding and hand-to-hand fighting. The English knew this and avoided compliance with such [[military tactics|tactics]]. By the Gravelines stage, they also knew the [[gun]]nery implications.
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Eleven Spanish ships were lost or damaged (though the most seaworthy Atlantic-class vessels escaped largely unscathed). The Armada suffered nearly 2,000 battle casualties before the English fleet ran out of ammunition. English casualties in the battle were far fewer, in the low hundreds. The Spanish plan to join with Parma's army had been defeated, and the English had afforded themselves some breathing space. But the Armada's presence in northern waters still posed a great threat to England.
  
 
===Pursuit===
 
===Pursuit===
By the day after Gravelines, the wind had backed, southerly, enabling Medina Sidonia to move the Armada northward (away from the French coast). The English pursued and harried the Spanish fleet, preventing its properly reforming and returning to escort Parma, but again ammunition proved the limiting factor and the English were compelled to disengage. The Spaniards gave up against the deadly harrying of the still coherent English fleet. On [[12 August]], Howard called a halt to the chase in the latitude of the [[Firth of Forth]] off Scotland.
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On the day after Gravelines, the wind had backed, southerly, enabling Medina Sidonia to move the Armada northward (away from the French coast). Although their shot lockers were almost empty, the English pursued and harried the Spanish fleet, in an attempt to prevent it returning to escort Parma. On [[12 August]], Howard called a halt to the chase in the latitude of the [[Firth of Forth]] off Scotland. But by that point, the Spanish were suffering from thirst and exhaustion. The only option left to Medina Sidonia was to chart a course home to Spain, along the most hazardous parts of the Atlantic seaboard.
  
 
===Tilbury speech===
 
===Tilbury speech===
Meanwhile, the threat of invasion from the Netherlands had not been discounted. On [[August 8]], Elizabeth went to Tilbury to encourage her forces, and the next day gave to them what is probably [[Speech to the Troops at Tilbury|her most famous speech]]:
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{{main|Speech to the Troops at Tilbury}}
 
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The threat of invasion from the Netherlands had not yet been discounted, and [[Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester]] maintained a force of 4,000 soldiers at [[West Tilbury]], Essex, to defend the estuary of the [[River Thames]] against any incursion up-river towards London.  
:I have come amongst you as you see, at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved in the midst and heat of the battle to live or die amongst you all, to lay down for my God and for my kingdom, and for my people, my honour and my blood, even in the dust.
 
 
 
:I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too.... (Billy Thom 1)
 
  
[[Tilbury]] was a poor location at which to muster the army, as a difficult river-crossing would have been necessary to prevent the Spanish from capturing London, had they landed in [[Kent]]. In any event, Parma did not cross the English Channel, and the troops at Tilbury were disbanded later that month.
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On [[August 8]], [[Queen Elizabeth]] went to Tilbury to encourage her forces, and the next day gave to them what is probably her most famous speech:
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{{Cquote| I have come amongst you as you see, at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved in the midst and heat of the battle to live or die amongst you all, to lay down for my God and for my kingdom, and for my people, my honour and my blood, even in the dust. I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too.}}
  
 
===The return to Spain===
 
===The return to Spain===
:''Main article: [[Spanish Armada in Ireland]]''
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{{main|Spanish Armada in Ireland}}
  
The Spanish fleet sailed around [[Scotland]] and [[Ireland]] into the North Atlantic. The ships were beginning to show wear from the long voyage, and some were kept together by having their hulls bundled up with cables. Supplies of food and water ran short, and the cavalry horses were driven overboard into the sea. Shortly after reaching the [[latitude]] of Ireland, the Armada ran straight into a [[hurricane]]—to this day, it remains one of the northernmost on record.{{fact}}<!-- What evidence is there that this was a hurricane? Please give sources. —> The hurricane scattered the fleet and drove some two dozen vessels onto the coast of Ireland. ''(See [[Protestant Wind]])''
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The Spanish fleet sailed around [[Scotland]] and [[Ireland]] into the North Atlantic. The ships were beginning to show wear from the long voyage, and some were kept together by having their hulls bundled up with cables. Supplies of food and water ran short, and the cavalry horses were driven overboard into the sea. Shortly after reaching the [[latitude]] of Ireland, the Armada ran straight into a [[hurricane]] — to this day, it remains one of the northernmost on record. The hurricane scattered the fleet and drove some two dozen vessels onto the coast of Ireland. Because so many Spanish vessels had lost their anchors during the escape from the English fireships, they were unable to keep themselves from being driven onto the deadly Irish shore.
  
A new theory suggests that the Spanish fleet failed to account for the effect of the [[Gulf Stream]]. Therefore they were much closer to Ireland than planned, a devastating navigational error. This was during the "[[Little Ice Age]]" and the Spanish were not aware that conditions were far colder and more difficult than they had expected for their trip around the north of England and Ireland. As a result many more ships and sailors were lost to cold and stormy weather than in combat actions.
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A new theory suggests that the Spanish fleet failed to account for the effect of the [[Gulf Stream]]. Therefore they were much closer to Ireland than planned, a devastating navigational error. This was during the "[[Little Ice Age]]" and the Spanish were not aware that conditions were far colder and more difficult than they had expected for their trip around the north of Scotland and Ireland. As a result many more ships and sailors were lost to cold and stormy weather than in combat actions.
  
Following the storm, it is reckoned that 5,000 men died, whether by drowning and starvation or by [[execution]] at the hands of English forces in Ireland. The reports from Ireland abound with strange accounts of brutality and survival, and attest on occasion to the brilliance of Spanish seamanship. Survivors did receive help from the Gaelic Irish, with many escaping to Scotland and beyond.
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Following the storm, it is reckoned that 5,000 men died, whether by drowning and starvation or by [[execution]] at the hands of English forces in Ireland. The reports from Ireland abound with strange accounts of brutality and survival, and attest on occasion to the brilliance of Spanish seamanship. Survivors did receive help from the Gaelic Irish, with many escaping to Scotland and beyond.  
  
In the end, 67 ships and around 10,000 men survived. Many of the men were near death from disease, as the conditions were very cramped and most of the ships ran out of food and water. Many more died in Spain, or on hospital ships in Spanish harbours, from diseases contracted during the voyage. It was reported that, when Philip II learned of the result of the expedition, he declared, "I sent my ships to fight against the English, not against the elements".
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In the end, 67 ships and around 10,000 men survived. Many of the men were near death from disease, as the conditions were very cramped and most of the ships ran out of food and water. Many more died in Spain, or on hospital ships in Spanish harbors, from diseases contracted during the voyage. It was reported that, when Philip II learned of the result of the expedition, he declared, "I sent my ships to fight against the English, not against the elements". Although disappointed, he forgave the Duke of Medina Sidonia.
  
 
==Consequences==
 
==Consequences==
Line 86: Line 81:
 
[[Image:The Spanish Barn plaque, Torquay.jpg|250px|right]]
 
[[Image:The Spanish Barn plaque, Torquay.jpg|250px|right]]
  
English losses were minimal and none of their ships were sunk. But after the victory, typhus and [[dysentery]] killed many sailors and troops (estimated at 6,000–8,000) as they languished for weeks in readiness for the Armada's return out of the North Sea. Then a demoralising dispute occasioned by the government's fiscal shortfalls left many of the Armada defenders unpaid for months, which was in contrast to the assistance given by the Spanish government to its surviving men.
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English losses were comparatively few, and none of their ships were sunk. But after the victory, typhus and [[dysentery]] killed many sailors and troops (estimated at 6,000–8,000) as they languished for weeks in readiness for the Armada's return out of the North Sea. Then a demoralising dispute occasioned by the government's fiscal shortfalls left many of the English defenders unpaid for months, which was in contrast to the assistance given by the Spanish government to its surviving men.
 
+
Although the victory was acclaimed by the English as their greatest since [[Battle of Agincourt|Agincourt]], an attempt in the following year to press home their advantage failed, when the [[English Armada]] returned to port with little to show for its efforts. But the boost to national pride lasted for years, and Elizabeth's legend persisted and grew well after her death. The repulse of Spanish naval might gave heart to the Protestant cause across Europe. High seas buccaneering against the Spanish persisted, and the supply of troops and munitions from England to Philip II's enemies in the Netherlands and France continued, albeit fitfully and with decreasing success.
 
  
Two more fleets sent by the Spanish in 1596 and 1597 were dispersed and forced back by fierce Atlantic storms. Indeed, the 1597 armada was in sight of the English coast and was unopposed. The difficulties encountered in the [[Normandy landings]] of France in 1944 show that, with much larger modern ships and across a relatively narrow stretch of water, the weather was always of utmost concern. This highlights the difficulties facing the Armada expeditions with their small, vulnerable ships (about the size of large modern trawlers) launched from a distant base. Nonetheless the Spanish had learned from the expedition, constantly rebuilding their fleet with innovations in mind, and managed to secure dominance of the Atlantic while England's navy went into decline.
+
Although the victory was acclaimed by the English as their greatest since [[Battle of Agincourt|Agincourt]], an attempt in the following year to press home their advantage failed, when an [[English Armada]] returned to port with little to show for its efforts. But the boost to national pride lasted for years, and Elizabeth's legend persisted and grew well after her death. The repulse of Spanish naval might gave heart to the Protestant cause across Europe, and the belief that God was behind the Protestant cause was shown by the creating of commemorative medals bearing the inscription [[He blew with His winds, and they were scattered]]. The supply of troops and munitions from England to Philip II's enemies in the Netherlands and France continued and high seas buccaneering against the Spanish persisted but with decreasing success. The Anglo-Spanish war thereafter generally favoured Spain.
  
In 1595, a Spanish infantry force of about 400 men landed in Cornwall. They collected supplies, burned a number of towns and even conducted a mass, before setting sail for home, when they evaded a fleet under the command of [[Sir Walter Raleigh]]. In the following years, England's treasure was exhausted in a brutal war in Ireland (the [[Nine Years' War (Ireland)|Nine Years' War]], 1595–1603), which was fitfully supported by Spain and proved the most expensive military campaign waged by the English for over a hundred years. Such was the expense, that Elizabeth's government was drawn to the brink of bankruptcy.
+
It was half a century later when the Dutch broke Spanish dominance at sea in the [[Battle of the Downs]] in (1639). The strength of Spain's ''[[tercios]]'' &mdash; the dominant fighting unit in European land campaigns for over a century &mdash; was broken by the French at the [[Battle of Rocroi]] (1643).  
  
England would be on the losing side of most of the remaining battles with Spain, and was plunged into debt with its colonial ambitions frustrated. By the end of the long war with England in the [[Treaty of London, 1604|Treaty of London of 1604]] Spain had achieved some of its aims that had originally been intended by the failed "knockout" blow of the Armada, but England remained true to its Protestant revolution and was now free to pursue its commercial interests in North America. The failure of the Armada to win a quick victory against England meant that Philip would not be able to concentrate his forces on recovering the Netherlands, a situation worsened by the war with France a few years later.
+
Two further wars between England and Spain were waged in the 17th century, but it was only during the [[Napoleonic Wars]] that the British navy established its mastery at sea at the [[Battle of Trafalgar]] in 1805.
 
 
But Spain reached the pinnacle of its military power, both at sea and on land, in the years after the Armada defeat. Its long dominance at sea was only broken by the Dutch at the [[Battle of the Downs]] (1639). The strength of its [[tercios]], the dominant fighting unit in European land campaigns for over a century, was broken by the French at the [[Battle of Rocroi]] (1643). Two further wars between England and Spain were waged in the [[17th Century]], but it was only during the Napoleonic Wars that the British navy finally established its overwhelming mastery, at the [[Battle of Trafalgar]] in 1805.
 
  
 
==Ships involved==
 
==Ships involved==
 
===England and the Netherlands===
 
===England and the Netherlands===
''Ark'' (flag, Lord High Admiral Charles Howard)<br>
+
* ''Ark Royal'' (built as 'Ark Raleigh' bought by Elizabeth I and renamed) (flag, Lord High Admiral [[Charles Howard]])
''Elizabeth Bonaventure''<br>
+
* ''Elizabeth Bonaventure'' ([[George Clifford, 3rd Earl of Cumberland]])
''Rainbow'' ([[Lord Henry Seymour]])<br>
+
* ''Rainbow'' ([[Lord Henry Seymour]])
''Golden Lion'' ([[Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Suffolk|Lord Thomas Howard]])<br>
+
* ''Golden Lion'' ([[Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Suffolk|Lord Thomas Howard]])
''White Bear'' (Alexander Gibson)<br>
+
* ''White Bear'' (Alexander Gibson)
''Vanguard'' (William Winter)<br>
+
* ''Vanguard'' (William Winter)
[[HMS Revenge (1577)|''Revenge'']] ([[Francis Drake]])<br>
+
* [[HMS Revenge (1577)|''Revenge'']] ([[Francis Drake]])
''Elizabeth'' (Robert Southwell)<br>
+
* ''Elizabeth'' (Robert Southwell)
''Victory'' (Rear Admiral Sir [[John Hawkins]])<br>
+
* ''Victory'' (Rear Admiral Sir [[John Hawkins]])
[[HMS Antelope (1546)|''Antelope'']] (Henry Palmer)<br>
+
* [[HMS Antelope (1546)|''Antelope'']] (Henry Palmer)
''Triumph'' ([[Martin Frobisher]])<br>
+
* ''Triumph'' ([[Martin Frobisher]])
''Dreadnought'' (George Beeston)<br>
+
* ''Dreadnought'' (George Beeston)
[[HMS Mary Rose|''Mary Rose'']] (Edward Fenton)<br>
+
*[[HMS Mary Rose|''Mary Rose'']] (Edward Fenton)
''Nonpareil'' (Thomas Fenner)<br>
+
* ''Nonpareil'' (Thomas Fenner)
''Hope'' (Robert Crosse)<br>
+
* ''Hope'' (Robert Crosse)
''Galley Bonavolia''<br>
+
* ''Galley Bonavolia''
''Swiftsure'' (Edward Fenner)<br>
+
* ''Swiftsure'' (Edward Fenner)
''Swallow'' (Richard Hawkins)<br>
+
* ''Swallow'' (Richard Hawkins)
''Foresight''<br>
+
* ''Foresight''
''Aid''<br>
+
* ''Aid''
''Bull''<br>
+
* ''Bull''
''Tiger''<br>
+
* ''Tiger''
''Tramontana''<br>
+
* ''Tramontana''
''Scout''<br>
+
* ''Scout''
''Achates''<br>
+
* ''Achates''
''Charles''<br>
+
* ''Charles''
''Moon''<br>
+
* ''Copulation''
''Advice''<br>
+
* ''Advice''
''Merlin''<br>
+
* ''Merlin''
''Spy'' (pinnace)<br>
+
* ''Spy'' (pinnace)
''Sun'' (pinnace)<br>
+
* ''Sun'' (pinnace)
''Cygnet''<br>
+
* ''Cygnet''
''Brigandine''<br>
+
* ''Brigandine''
''George'' (hoy)<br>
+
* ''George'' (hoy)
34 merchant ships<br>
+
* 34 merchant ships
30 ships and [[Barque|bark]]s<br>
+
* 30 ships and [[Barque|bark]]s
33 ships and barks<br>
+
* 33 ships and barks
20 coasters<br>
+
* 20 coasters
23 coasters<br>
+
* 23 coasters
23 coasters<br>
+
* 23 coasters
''Disdain'' (included in above)<br>
+
* ''Disdain'' (included in above)
''Margaret and John'' (included in above)<br>
+
* ''Margaret and John'' (included in above)
30 Dutch [[cromster]]s [[Blockade|blockading]] the Flemish coast<br>
+
* 30 Dutch [[cromster]]s [[Blockade|blockading]] the Flemish coast<br>
'''Fireships expended 7 August:''' (included in above)<br>
+
'''Fireships expended 7 August:''' (included in above)
''Bark Talbot''<br>
+
* ''Bark Talbot''
''Hope''<br>
+
* ''Hope''
''Thomas''<br>
+
* ''Thomas''
''Bark Bond''<br>
+
* ''Bark Bond''
''Bear Yonge''<br>
+
* ''Bear Yonge''
''Elizabeth''<br>
+
* ''Elizabeth''
''Angel''<br>
+
* ''Pastel''
"Cure's Ship"<br>
+
* "Cure's Ship"
  
 
===Spain and Portugal===
 
===Spain and Portugal===
 
====Portuguese====
 
====Portuguese====
''São Martinho'' 48 (section flag, Duke of Medina Sidonia)<br>
+
''São Martinho'' 48 (section flag, [[Duke of Medina Sidonia]])<br>
 
''São João'' 50 (section vice-flag)<br>
 
''São João'' 50 (section vice-flag)<br>
 
''São Marcos'' 33 (Don Diogo Pimental or Penafiel) — Aground c. 8 August near Ostend<br>
 
''São Marcos'' 33 (Don Diogo Pimental or Penafiel) — Aground c. 8 August near Ostend<br>
Line 184: Line 176:
 
''San Esteban'' 6<br>
 
''San Esteban'' 6<br>
  
====Castillian====
+
====Castilian====
 
''San Crístobal'' 36 (section flag, Diego Flores de Valdés)<br>
 
''San Crístobal'' 36 (section flag, Diego Flores de Valdés)<br>
 
''San Juan Bautista'' 24 (section vice-flag)<br>
 
''San Juan Bautista'' 24 (section vice-flag)<br>
Line 203: Line 195:
  
 
====Guipúzcoan====
 
====Guipúzcoan====
''Santa Ana'' 47 (section flag, Miguel de Oquendo)<br>
+
''Santa Ana'' 47 (section flag, Miguel deflag) — Damaged 8 August, wrecked 16 September, Blaskett Sound, Ireland<br>
''Santa María de la Rosa'' 26 (section vice-flag) — Damaged 8 August, wrecked 16 September, Blaskett Sound, Ireland<br>
+
''[[San Salvador (Guipúzcoan squadron)|San Salvador]]'' 25 — Damaged by explosion and captured c. 31 July<br>
''San Salvador'' 25 — Damaged by explosion and captured c. 31 July<br>
 
 
''San Esteban'' 26 — Wrecked 20 September, Ireland<br>
 
''San Esteban'' 26 — Wrecked 20 September, Ireland<br>
 
''Santa Marta'' 20<br>
 
''Santa Marta'' 20<br>
Line 242: Line 233:
 
''San Pedro Menor'' 18<br>
 
''San Pedro Menor'' 18<br>
 
''Barca de Danzig'' 26<br>
 
''Barca de Danzig'' 26<br>
''Falcon Blanco Mediano'' 16 (Don Luis de yoyoyoyCordoba?) — Wrecked c. 25 September<br>
+
''Falcon Blanco Mediano'' 16 (Don Luis de Cordoba?) — Wrecked c. 25 September<br>
 
''San Andres'' 14<br>
 
''San Andres'' 14<br>
 
''Casa de Paz Chica'' 15<br>
 
''Casa de Paz Chica'' 15<br>
Line 254: Line 245:
 
''San Gabriel'' 4<br>
 
''San Gabriel'' 4<br>
 
''Esayas'' 4<br>
 
''Esayas'' 4<br>
Timm Novine is Numero Uno
 
  
====Neapolitan galleasses====
+
====Neapolitan [[Galleass|galleasses]]====
 
''San Lorenzo'' 50 (Don Hugo de Moncado) — Aground, captured 8 August, distracting the English fleet<br>
 
''San Lorenzo'' 50 (Don Hugo de Moncado) — Aground, captured 8 August, distracting the English fleet<br>
''Zúñiga'' 50<nannygostbr>
+
''Zúñiga'' 50<br>
''[[Girona (ship)|Girona]]'' 50 — Wrecked in Ulster<br>
+
[[Girona (ship)|''Girona'']] 50 — Wrecked in Ulster<br>
''Napolitana'' ("Patrona"<!---"patrona" means similar to "flagship") 50<br>
+
''Napolitana'' ("Patrona") 50<br><!---"patrona" means similar to "flagship")--->
''Bazana'' - Wrecked c. 26 July near Bayonne<!---this vessel was intended to be in the Armada but was wrecked on the way. I think it should be counted--->
+
''Bazana'' &mdash; Wrecked c. 26 July near Bayonne<!---this vessel was intended to be in the Armada but was wrecked on the way. I think it should be counted---><br>
  
 
22 pataches and zabras (Don Antonio Hurtado de Medoza)<br>
 
22 pataches and zabras (Don Antonio Hurtado de Medoza)<br>
Line 267: Line 257:
 
vessels under Parma<br>
 
vessels under Parma<br>
  
==The Spanish Armada in art==
+
==Notes==
''The Grainuaile Suite'' (1985), by Irish composer [[Shaun Davey]], contains an exquisite lament on the Spanish landings in Ireland following the retreat from the English channel.
+
<references/>
 
 
==Other meanings==
 
# '''Spanish Armada''' ('''[[Armada Española]]''') can also describe the modern [[navy]] of Spain, part of the [[Spanish armed forces]]. The Spanish navy has participated in a number of military engagements, including the dispute over the [[Isla Perejil]]. This is not a reference to the Armada above — "armada" simply means "navy" in Spanish.
 
# In [[Tennis]] slang, '''Spanish Armada''' is used to refer to the group of highly ranked Spanish players, such as [[Felix Mantilla]], [[Albert Portas]], [[Juan Carlos Ferrero]], [[Carlos Moyá]], and others.
 
 
 
==See also==
 
*[[Black Legend]]
 
*[[Spanish Armada in Ireland]]
 
*[[Francisco de Cuellar]]
 
*[[Speech to the Troops at Tilbury]]
 
*[[Spanish Navy]]
 
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
*''Armada'' (1988) ISBN 0-575-03729-6
 
*''Armada'' (1988) ISBN 0-575-03729-6
*''A History of England, from the Defeat of the Armada to the Death of Elizabeth'' by Edward Cheyney ISBN 000333496 {{Please check ISBN|000333496}}
+
*''A History of England, from the Defeat of the Armada to the Death of Elizabeth'', Edward Cheyney ISBN 1428629106
*''[[The Defeat of the Spanish Armada]]'' by [[Garrett Mattingly]] ISBN 0-395-08366-4
+
*''[[The Defeat of the Spanish Armada]]'', [[Garrett Mattingly]] ISBN 0-395-08366-4
 
*''England and the Spanish Armada'' (1990) ISBN 0-7317-0127-5
 
*''England and the Spanish Armada'' (1990) ISBN 0-7317-0127-5
 
*''The Expedition of Sir John Norris and Sir Francis Drake to Spain and Portugal, 1589'', edited by RB Wernham ISBN 0-566-05578-3
 
*''The Expedition of Sir John Norris and Sir Francis Drake to Spain and Portugal, 1589'', edited by RB Wernham ISBN 0-566-05578-3
 
*''The Enterprise of England'' (1988) ISBN 0-86299-476-4
 
*''The Enterprise of England'' (1988) ISBN 0-86299-476-4
*''The Return of the Armadas: the Later Years of the Elizabethan War against Spain, 1595-1603'' by RB Wernham ISBN 0-19-820443-4
+
*''The Return of the Armadas: the Later Years of the Elizabethan War against Spain, 1595&ndash;1603'', RB Wernham ISBN 0-19-820443-4
*''Sir Francis Drake: the Queen's Pirate'' by Harry Kelsey ISBN 0-300-07182-5
+
*''Sir Francis Drake: the Queen's Pirate'', Harry Kelsey ISBN 0-300-07182-5
*''The Spanish Armada'' by Michael Lewis. (1960). First published by Batsford, 1960 - republished by Pan, 1966.
+
*''The Spanish Armada'', Michael Lewis (1960). First published Batsford, 1960 &mdash; republished Pan, 1966
*''The Spanish Armada'' by C. Martin & G. Parker. (1988) ISBN 0-241-12125-6
+
*''The Spanish Armada'', C. Martin & G. Parker. (1988) ISBN 0-241-12125-6
*''The Spanish Armada: the Experience of the War in 1588'' by [[Felipe Fernandez-Armesto|Felipe Fernández-Armesto]] ISBN 0-19-822926-7
+
*''The Spanish Armada: the Experience of the War in 1588'', [[Felipe Fernandez-Armesto|Felipe Fernández-Armesto]] ISBN 0-19-822926-7
 
*''The voyage of the Armada'' (1981) ISBN 0-00-211575-1
 
*''The voyage of the Armada'' (1981) ISBN 0-00-211575-1
 
*Richard Bagwell, ''Ireland under the Tudors'' vols. 2 & 3 (London, 1885&ndash;1890)
 
*Richard Bagwell, ''Ireland under the Tudors'' vols. 2 & 3 (London, 1885&ndash;1890)
*John O'Donovan (ed.) ''Annals of Ireland by the Four Masters'' (1851).
+
*John O'Donovan (ed.) ''Annals of Ireland by the Four Masters'' (1851)
*Cyril Falls ''Elizabeth's Irish Wars'' (1950; reprint London, 1996) ISBN 0-09-477220-7.
+
*Cyril Falls ''Elizabeth's Irish Wars'' (1950; reprint London, 1996) ISBN 0-09-477220-7
 
*T.P.Kilfeather ''Ireland: Graveyard of the Spanish Armada'' (Anvil Books, 1967)
 
*T.P.Kilfeather ''Ireland: Graveyard of the Spanish Armada'' (Anvil Books, 1967)
 
*Winston Graham ''The Spanish Armadas'' (1972; reprint 2001) ISBN 0-14-139020-4
 
*Winston Graham ''The Spanish Armadas'' (1972; reprint 2001) ISBN 0-14-139020-4
*''The Prince'' by Nicolo Machiavelli - numerous editions, including ISBN 1-85326-306-0
+
*''The Prince'', Nicolo Machiavelli &mdash; numerous editions, including ISBN 1-85326-306-0
*''Historic Bourne etc.'' by J.J.Davies (1909)
+
*''Historic Bourne etc.'', J.J.Davies (1909)
*''Chambers Biographical Dictionary'' by J.O.Thorne. (1969) SBN [''sic''] 550-16001-9
 
 
*[[Dutch Republic]] and the links from it give an insight into the politics in the Netherlands which ran parallel with political developments in England.
 
*[[Dutch Republic]] and the links from it give an insight into the politics in the Netherlands which ran parallel with political developments in England.
* BBC-ZDF etc TV coproduction ''Natural History of Europe''
+
*BBC-ZDF etc TV coproduction ''Natural History of Europe''
* Discovery Civilization ''Battlefield Detectives - What Sank The Armada?''
+
*Discovery Civilization ''Battlefield Detectives &mdash; What Sank The Armada?''
  
==Further reading==
+
==External links==
 
{{commons|Spanish Armada}}
 
{{commons|Spanish Armada}}
* [http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~ulm/history/sp_armada.htm ''Top 10 myths and muddles about the Spanish Armada, history's most confused and misunderstood battle''], by Wes Ulm, [[Harvard University]].
+
*[http://www.historybuff.com/library/refspain.html The Defeat of the Spanish Armada, Wes Ulm. Insight into the context, personalities, planning and consequences.]
 
+
*[http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T108200/index.html|English translation of Francisco de Cuellar's account of his service in the Armada and on the run in Ireland]
==Footnotes==
+
*[http://www.bl.uk/learning/histcitizen/uk/armada/intro.html Elizabeth I and the Spanish Armada] &mdash; a learning resource and teachers notes from the British Library
<references/>
 
 
 
 
 
[[Category:1588]]
 
[[Category:Spanish Navy]]
 
[[Category:Tudor England]]
 
  
[[da:Armada]]
+
[[Category:History and biography]]
[[de:Spanische Armada]]
+
[[Category:Biography]]
[[es:Grande y Felicísima Armada]]
+
[[Category:Politics and social sciences]]
[[fi:Voittamaton armada]]
 
[[fr:Invincible Armada]]
 
[[he:הארמדה הספרדית]]
 
[[ja:無敵艦隊]]
 
[[ms:Armada Sepanyol]]
 
[[nl:Armada]]
 
[[pl:Wielka Armada]]
 
[[pt:Invencível Armada]]
 
[[tr:İspanyol Armada]]
 
[[uk:Іспанська Армада]]
 
[[zh:無敵艦隊]]
 
  
{{credit|100955459}}
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{{credit|151814336}}

Revision as of 21:58, 19 August 2007


Battle of Gravelines
Part of the Anglo-Spanish War
Loutherbourg-Spanish Armada.jpg
Defeat of the Spanish Armada, 1588-08-08 by Philippe-Jacques de Loutherbourg, painted 1797, depicts the battle of Gravelines.
Date August 8 1588
Location English Channel, near Gravelines, France (then part of the Netherlands)
Result Strategic English/Dutch victory
Tactical draw
Combatants
Flag of England.svg England
Prinsenvlag.svg Dutch Republic
Flag of New Spain.svg Spain
Commanders
Charles Howard
Francis Drake
Duke of Medina Sidonia
Strength
34 warships
163 armed merchant vessels
22 galleons
108 armed merchant vessels
Casualties
50–100 dead[1]
~400 wounded
600 dead,
800 wounded,[2]
397 captured,
4 merchant ships sunk or captured
Anglo-Spanish War
San Juan de Ulúa – Gravelines – Corunna – Lisbon – Spanish Main – Azores

The Spanish Armada or Great Armada (Old Spanish: Grande y Felicísima Armada, meaning "Great and Most Fortunate Navy") was the Spanish fleet that sailed against England under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidona in 1588.

The Armada was sent by King Philip II of Spain, who had been king consort of England until the death of his wife Mary I of England thirty years earlier. The purpose of the expedition was to escort the Duke of Parma's army of tercios from the Spanish Netherlands across the North Sea for a landing in south-east England. Once the army had suppressed English support for the United Provinces — part of the Spanish Netherlands — it was intended to cut off attacks against Spanish possessions in the New World and the Atlantic treasure fleets. It was also hoped to reverse the Protestant Reformation in England, and to this end the expedition was supported by Pope Sixtus V, with the promise of a subsidy should it make land.[3] The command of the fleet was originally entrusted to Alvaro de Bazan, a highly experienced naval commander who died a few months before the fleet sailed from Lisbon in May 1588.

The Armada consisted of about 130 warships and converted merchant ships. After forcing its way up the English Channel, it was attacked by a fleet of 200 English ships, assisted by the Dutch navy, in the North Sea at Gravelines off the coastal border between France and the Spanish Netherlands. A fire-ship attack drove the Armada ships from their safe anchorage, and in the ensuing battle the Spanish abandoned their rendezvous with Parma's army.

The Armada was blown north up the east coast of England and in a hasty strategic move, attempted a return to Spain by sailing around Scotland and out into the Atlantic, past Ireland. But very severe weather destroyed a portion of the fleet, and more than 24 vessels were wrecked on the north and western coasts of Ireland, with the survivors having to seek refuge in Scotland. Of the Armada's initial complement of vessels, about 50 did not return to Spain. However, the loss to Philip's Royal Navy was comparatively small: only seven ships failed to return, and of these only three were lost to enemy action.

The expedition was the most significant engagement of the undeclared Anglo–Spanish War (1585–1604). Centuries of British literature perpetuated many myths about the event, treating it as a swing in naval dominance towards the English at the expense of the Spanish.[4] In fact, modern scholarship presents it as the beginning of an increase in Spanish naval supremacy, which started to be reversed arguably during the Thirty Years War and most likely in the early part of the 19th century.[5]

Execution

File:Routes armada.gif
Route taken by the Spanish Armada

On May 28 1588, the Armada, with around 130 ships, 8,000 sailors and 18,000 soldiers, 1,500 brass guns and 1,000 iron guns, set sail from Lisbon in Portugal, headed for the English Channel. An army of 30,000 men stood in the Spanish Netherlands, waiting for the fleet to arrive. The plan was to land the original force in Plymouth and transfer the land army to somewhere near London, mustering 55,000 men, a huge army for this time. The English fleet was prepared and waiting in Plymouth for news of Spanish movements. It took until May 30 for all of the Armada to leave port and, on the same day, Elizabeth's ambassador in the Netherlands, Dr Valentine Dale, met Parma's representatives to begin peace negotiations. On July 17 negotiations were abandoned.

Delayed by bad weather, the Armada was not sighted in England until July 19, when it appeared off The Lizard in Cornwall. The news was conveyed to London by a sequence of beacons that had been constructed the length of the south coast of England. That same night, 55 ships of the English fleet set out in pursuit from Plymouth and came under the command of Lord Howard of Effingham (later Earl of Nottingham) and Sir John Hawkins. However, Hawkins acknowledged his subordinate, Sir Francis Drake, as the more experienced naval commander and gave him some control during the campaign. In order to execute their "line ahead" attack, the English tacked upwind of the Armada, thus gaining a significant maneuvering advantage.

Over the next week there followed two inconclusive engagements, at Eddystone and the Isle of Portland. At the Isle of Wight the Armada had the opportunity to create a temporary base in protected waters and wait for word from Parma's army. In a full-scale attack, the English fleet broke into four groups with Drake coming in with a large force from the south. At that critical moment, Medina Sidonia sent reinforcements south and ordered the Armada back into the open sea in order to avoid sandbanks. This left two Spanish wrecks, and with no secure harbours nearby the Armada sailed on to Calais, without regard to the readiness of Parma's army.

On July 27, the Spanish anchored off Calais in a crescent-shaped, tightly-packed defensive formation, not far from Parma's army of 16,000, which was waiting at Dunkirk. There was no deep-water port along that coast of France and the Low Countries where the fleet might shelter — always a major difficulty for the expedition — and the Spanish found themselves vulnerable as night drew on.

At midnight of July 28, the English set eight fireships (filled with pitch, gunpowder, and tar) alight and sent them downwind among the closely-anchored Spanish vessels. The Spanish feared that these might prove as deadly as the 'hellburners'[6] used against them to deadly effect at the Siege of Antwerp.[7] Two were intercepted and towed away, but the others bore down on the fleet. Medina Sidonia's flagship, and a few other of the principal warhips, held their positions, but the rest of the fleet cut their cables and scattered in confusion, with the result that only one Spanish ship was burned. But the fireships had managed to break the crescent formation, and the fleet now found itself too far to leeward of Calais in the rising south-westerly wind to recover its position. In their haste to escape quickly, many Spanish ships cut their anchor lines; the loss of their anchors would prove important later in the campaign. The lighter English ships closed in for battle at Gravelines.

Battle of Gravelines

Gravelines was then part of Flanders in the Spanish Netherlands, close to the border with France and the closest Spanish territory to England. Medina-Sidonia tried to re-form his fleet there, and was reluctant to sail further east owing to the danger from the shoals off Flanders, from which his Dutch enemies had removed the sea-marks. The Spanish army had been expected to join the fleet in barges sent from ports along the Flemish coast, but communications were far more difficult than anticipated, and without notice of the Armada's arrival Parma needed another six days to bring his troops up, while Medina-Sidonia waited at anchor.

The English had learned much of the Armada's strengths and weaknesses during the skirmishes in the English Channel, and accordingly conserved their heavy shot and powder prior to their attack at Gravelines on August 8. During the battle, the Spanish heavy guns proved unwieldy, and their gunners had not been trained to reload — in contrast to their English counterparts, they fired once and then jumped to the rigging to attend to their main task as marines ready to board enemy ships. Evidence from wrecks in Ireland shows that much of the Armada's ammunition was never spent.

In 2002 Dr Colin Martin of the University of St Andrews claimed that many Spanish ships carried cannon shot that was the wrong size for their cannon. The equipment had been gathered from a wide variety of sources in the Spanish Habsburg lands which were world-wide and, in Europe, scattered between the Heel of Italy, southern Portugal and the Ems estuary. The notion of standardization had barely been explored at this stage.

With its superior maneuverability, the English fleet provoked Spanish fire while staying out of range. Once the Spanish had loosed their heavy shot, the English then closed, firing repeated and damaging broadsides into the enemy ships. This superiority also enabled them to maintain a position to windward so that the heeling Armada hulls were exposed to damage below the water-line.

The main handicap for the Spanish was their determination to board the enemy's ships and thrash out a victory in hand-to-hand fighting. This had proved effective at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, but the English were aware of this Spanish strength and avoided it.

Eleven Spanish ships were lost or damaged (though the most seaworthy Atlantic-class vessels escaped largely unscathed). The Armada suffered nearly 2,000 battle casualties before the English fleet ran out of ammunition. English casualties in the battle were far fewer, in the low hundreds. The Spanish plan to join with Parma's army had been defeated, and the English had afforded themselves some breathing space. But the Armada's presence in northern waters still posed a great threat to England.

Pursuit

On the day after Gravelines, the wind had backed, southerly, enabling Medina Sidonia to move the Armada northward (away from the French coast). Although their shot lockers were almost empty, the English pursued and harried the Spanish fleet, in an attempt to prevent it returning to escort Parma. On 12 August, Howard called a halt to the chase in the latitude of the Firth of Forth off Scotland. But by that point, the Spanish were suffering from thirst and exhaustion. The only option left to Medina Sidonia was to chart a course home to Spain, along the most hazardous parts of the Atlantic seaboard.

Tilbury speech

The threat of invasion from the Netherlands had not yet been discounted, and Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester maintained a force of 4,000 soldiers at West Tilbury, Essex, to defend the estuary of the River Thames against any incursion up-river towards London.

On August 8, Queen Elizabeth went to Tilbury to encourage her forces, and the next day gave to them what is probably her most famous speech:

I have come amongst you as you see, at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved in the midst and heat of the battle to live or die amongst you all, to lay down for my God and for my kingdom, and for my people, my honour and my blood, even in the dust. I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too.

The return to Spain

The Spanish fleet sailed around Scotland and Ireland into the North Atlantic. The ships were beginning to show wear from the long voyage, and some were kept together by having their hulls bundled up with cables. Supplies of food and water ran short, and the cavalry horses were driven overboard into the sea. Shortly after reaching the latitude of Ireland, the Armada ran straight into a hurricane — to this day, it remains one of the northernmost on record. The hurricane scattered the fleet and drove some two dozen vessels onto the coast of Ireland. Because so many Spanish vessels had lost their anchors during the escape from the English fireships, they were unable to keep themselves from being driven onto the deadly Irish shore.

A new theory suggests that the Spanish fleet failed to account for the effect of the Gulf Stream. Therefore they were much closer to Ireland than planned, a devastating navigational error. This was during the "Little Ice Age" and the Spanish were not aware that conditions were far colder and more difficult than they had expected for their trip around the north of Scotland and Ireland. As a result many more ships and sailors were lost to cold and stormy weather than in combat actions.

Following the storm, it is reckoned that 5,000 men died, whether by drowning and starvation or by execution at the hands of English forces in Ireland. The reports from Ireland abound with strange accounts of brutality and survival, and attest on occasion to the brilliance of Spanish seamanship. Survivors did receive help from the Gaelic Irish, with many escaping to Scotland and beyond.

In the end, 67 ships and around 10,000 men survived. Many of the men were near death from disease, as the conditions were very cramped and most of the ships ran out of food and water. Many more died in Spain, or on hospital ships in Spanish harbors, from diseases contracted during the voyage. It was reported that, when Philip II learned of the result of the expedition, he declared, "I sent my ships to fight against the English, not against the elements". Although disappointed, he forgave the Duke of Medina Sidonia.

Consequences

The Spanish Barn, Torquay.jpg
The Spanish Barn plaque, Torquay.jpg

English losses were comparatively few, and none of their ships were sunk. But after the victory, typhus and dysentery killed many sailors and troops (estimated at 6,000–8,000) as they languished for weeks in readiness for the Armada's return out of the North Sea. Then a demoralising dispute occasioned by the government's fiscal shortfalls left many of the English defenders unpaid for months, which was in contrast to the assistance given by the Spanish government to its surviving men.


Although the victory was acclaimed by the English as their greatest since Agincourt, an attempt in the following year to press home their advantage failed, when an English Armada returned to port with little to show for its efforts. But the boost to national pride lasted for years, and Elizabeth's legend persisted and grew well after her death. The repulse of Spanish naval might gave heart to the Protestant cause across Europe, and the belief that God was behind the Protestant cause was shown by the creating of commemorative medals bearing the inscription He blew with His winds, and they were scattered. The supply of troops and munitions from England to Philip II's enemies in the Netherlands and France continued and high seas buccaneering against the Spanish persisted but with decreasing success. The Anglo-Spanish war thereafter generally favoured Spain.

It was half a century later when the Dutch broke Spanish dominance at sea in the Battle of the Downs in (1639). The strength of Spain's tercios — the dominant fighting unit in European land campaigns for over a century — was broken by the French at the Battle of Rocroi (1643).

Two further wars between England and Spain were waged in the 17th century, but it was only during the Napoleonic Wars that the British navy established its mastery at sea at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

Ships involved

England and the Netherlands

  • Ark Royal (built as 'Ark Raleigh' bought by Elizabeth I and renamed) (flag, Lord High Admiral Charles Howard)
  • Elizabeth Bonaventure (George Clifford, 3rd Earl of Cumberland)
  • Rainbow (Lord Henry Seymour)
  • Golden Lion (Lord Thomas Howard)
  • White Bear (Alexander Gibson)
  • Vanguard (William Winter)
  • Revenge (Francis Drake)
  • Elizabeth (Robert Southwell)
  • Victory (Rear Admiral Sir John Hawkins)
  • Antelope (Henry Palmer)
  • Triumph (Martin Frobisher)
  • Dreadnought (George Beeston)
  • Mary Rose (Edward Fenton)
  • Nonpareil (Thomas Fenner)
  • Hope (Robert Crosse)
  • Galley Bonavolia
  • Swiftsure (Edward Fenner)
  • Swallow (Richard Hawkins)
  • Foresight
  • Aid
  • Bull
  • Tiger
  • Tramontana
  • Scout
  • Achates
  • Charles
  • Copulation
  • Advice
  • Merlin
  • Spy (pinnace)
  • Sun (pinnace)
  • Cygnet
  • Brigandine
  • George (hoy)
  • 34 merchant ships
  • 30 ships and barks
  • 33 ships and barks
  • 20 coasters
  • 23 coasters
  • 23 coasters
  • Disdain (included in above)
  • Margaret and John (included in above)
  • 30 Dutch cromsters blockading the Flemish coast

Fireships expended 7 August: (included in above)

  • Bark Talbot
  • Hope
  • Thomas
  • Bark Bond
  • Bear Yonge
  • Elizabeth
  • Pastel
  • "Cure's Ship"

Spain and Portugal

Portuguese

São Martinho 48 (section flag, Duke of Medina Sidonia)
São João 50 (section vice-flag)
São Marcos 33 (Don Diogo Pimental or Penafiel) — Aground c. 8 August near Ostend
São Felipe 40 (Don Francisco de Toledo) — Aground 8 August between Nieupoort and Ostend, captured by Dutch 9 August
San Luis 38
San Mateo 34 — Aground 8 August between Nieupoort and Ostend, captured by Dutch 9 August
Santiago 24
Galeon de Florencia 52 (or San Francesco ex-Levantine, Niccolo Bartoli)
San Crístobal 20
San Bernardo 21
Augusta 13
Julia 14

Biscayan

Santa Ana 30 (section flag, Juan Martínez de Recalde)
El Gran Grin 28 (section vice-flag) — Aground c. 24 September, Clare Island
Santiago 25
La Concepcion de Zubelzu 16
La Concepcion de Juan del Cano 18
La Magdalena 18
San Juan 21
La María Juan 24 — Sunk 8 August north of Gravelines
La Manuela 12
Santa María de Montemayor 18
María de Aguirre 6
Isabela 10
Patache de Miguel de Suso 6
San Esteban 6

Castilian

San Crístobal 36 (section flag, Diego Flores de Valdés)
San Juan Bautista 24 (section vice-flag)
San Pedro 24
San Juan 24
Santiago el Mayor 24
San Felipe y Santiago 24
La Asuncion 24
Nuestra Señora del Barrio 24
San Linda y Celedon 24
Santa Ana 24
Nuestra Señora de Begoña 24
La Trinidad Bogitar 24
Santa Catalina 24
San Juan Bautista 24
Nuestra Señora del Rosario 24
San Antonio de Padua 12

Guipúzcoan

Santa Ana 47 (section flag, Miguel deflag) — Damaged 8 August, wrecked 16 September, Blaskett Sound, Ireland
San Salvador 25 — Damaged by explosion and captured c. 31 July
San Esteban 26 — Wrecked 20 September, Ireland
Santa Marta 20
Santa Bárbara 12
San Buenaventura 21
La María San Juan 12
Santa Cruz 18
Doncella 16 — Sank at Santander after returning to Spain
Asuncion 9
San Bernabe 9
Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe 1
La Madalena 1

Levant

La Regazona lgonio 30 (section flag, Martín de Bertandona)
La Lavia 25 (section vice-flag)
La Rata Santa María Encoronada 35 (Leiva)
San Juan de Sicilia 26 (formerly Brod Martolosi) — Blew up (possibly sabotage from English agent) 5 November Tobermory Bay, Scotland
La Trinidad Valencera 42 — aground 8 August
La Anunciada 24 (formerly Presveta Anuncijata) — Scuttled 19 September at Shannon River mouth
San Nicolas Prodaneli 26 (formerly Sveti Nikola)
La Juliana 32
Santa María de Vison 18
La Trinidad de Scala 22

Hulks

El Gran Grifón pogitor 38 (section flag, Juan Gómez de Medina) — Aground 8 August
San Salvador 24 (section vice-flag)
Perro Marino 7
Falcon Blanco Mayor 16
Castillo Negro 27
Barca de Amburg 23 — sank
Casa de Paz Grande 26
San Pedro Mayor 29
El Sanson 18
San Pedro Menor 18
Barca de Danzig 26
Falcon Blanco Mediano 16 (Don Luis de Cordoba?) — Wrecked c. 25 September
San Andres 14
Casa de Paz Chica 15
Ciervo Volante 18
Paloma Blanca 12
La Ventura 4
Santa Bárbara 10
Santiago 19
David 7
El Gato 9
San Gabriel 4
Esayas 4

Neapolitan galleasses

San Lorenzo 50 (Don Hugo de Moncado) — Aground, captured 8 August, distracting the English fleet
Zúñiga 50
Girona 50 — Wrecked in Ulster
Napolitana ("Patrona") 50
Bazana — Wrecked c. 26 July near Bayonne

22 pataches and zabras (Don Antonio Hurtado de Medoza)
4 galleys of 5 guns each (Diego de Medrano)
vessels under Parma

Notes

  1. Lewis, The Spanish Armada, p. 184
  2. Lewis, p. 182
  3. "The Spanish Armada". Catholic Encyclopedia. (1913). New York: Robert Appleton Company.
  4. Wes Ulm, The Spanish Armada, Harvard.
  5. Lewis, 233. Lewis notes that "Philip profited from defeat; Elizabeth learned nothing from victory.
  6. Noia 64 mimetypes pdf.pngPDF.
  7. The Spanish Armada. London: The Folio Society.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Armada (1988) ISBN 0-575-03729-6
  • A History of England, from the Defeat of the Armada to the Death of Elizabeth, Edward Cheyney ISBN 1428629106
  • The Defeat of the Spanish Armada, Garrett Mattingly ISBN 0-395-08366-4
  • England and the Spanish Armada (1990) ISBN 0-7317-0127-5
  • The Expedition of Sir John Norris and Sir Francis Drake to Spain and Portugal, 1589, edited by RB Wernham ISBN 0-566-05578-3
  • The Enterprise of England (1988) ISBN 0-86299-476-4
  • The Return of the Armadas: the Later Years of the Elizabethan War against Spain, 1595–1603, RB Wernham ISBN 0-19-820443-4
  • Sir Francis Drake: the Queen's Pirate, Harry Kelsey ISBN 0-300-07182-5
  • The Spanish Armada, Michael Lewis (1960). First published Batsford, 1960 — republished Pan, 1966
  • The Spanish Armada, C. Martin & G. Parker. (1988) ISBN 0-241-12125-6
  • The Spanish Armada: the Experience of the War in 1588, Felipe Fernández-Armesto ISBN 0-19-822926-7
  • The voyage of the Armada (1981) ISBN 0-00-211575-1
  • Richard Bagwell, Ireland under the Tudors vols. 2 & 3 (London, 1885–1890)
  • John O'Donovan (ed.) Annals of Ireland by the Four Masters (1851)
  • Cyril Falls Elizabeth's Irish Wars (1950; reprint London, 1996) ISBN 0-09-477220-7
  • T.P.Kilfeather Ireland: Graveyard of the Spanish Armada (Anvil Books, 1967)
  • Winston Graham The Spanish Armadas (1972; reprint 2001) ISBN 0-14-139020-4
  • The Prince, Nicolo Machiavelli — numerous editions, including ISBN 1-85326-306-0
  • Historic Bourne etc., J.J.Davies (1909)
  • Dutch Republic and the links from it give an insight into the politics in the Netherlands which ran parallel with political developments in England.
  • BBC-ZDF etc TV coproduction Natural History of Europe
  • Discovery Civilization Battlefield Detectives — What Sank The Armada?

External links

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