The Battle Between The Spanish Armada And The British Fleet

The Battle Between the Spanish Armada and the British Fleet
~1588~

In the later part of the 16th century, Spain was the major international
power and either ruled, colonized, or exercised influence over much of
the known world. Spanish power was at it's height and Spain's leader,
King Philip II, pledged to conquer the Protestant heretics in England
that began as a result of the Reformation.

Philip held personal hostility towards England's Queen Elizabeth I and
was desirous of eliminating a major sea-going rival for economic reasons.
Elizabeth encouraged Sir Francis Drake and other English seamen to raid
Spanish ships and towns to invest in some of their wealth. The English
also began to aid the Dutch Protestants who were rebelling against
Spanish rule. The Treaty of Nonsuch (1585) along with damaging raids by
Drake against the Spanish commerce finally convinced Philip that a direct
invasion of England was necessary. Philip wanted to restore England to
Catholicism, keep his wealth he discovered, and prove that his country is
still looked upon as all-powerful.

King Philip disliked Elizabeth with a passion. He tried to plot against
her ages ago with Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, in 1568. She was beheaded
in 1587 for she pose a threat to the queen and England's safety. Finally
Philip decided he had to do something about it himself. He drew up a
flawless plan that wouldn't underrating England's ability to defend
herself, Philip organized a brillian...

The Battle Between The Spanish Armada And The British Fleet

Login

Join