2.3 - The Outbreak of War with Spain

Question 1

Describe the background to the war with Spain.

Answer 1

• England signed Treaty of Nonsuch (1585) with the Dutch Protestant rebels which made war with Spain more likely.
• Treaty stated that England would pay for an army of 7,400 soldiers led by an English commander (Earl of Leicester), who would work with the rebels’ government.
• It was likely that this group would fight the Spanish, although war had not been formally declared.

Question 2

When was the campaign in the Netherlands?

Answer 2

1585-88

Question 3

Why was the campaign in the Netherlands not successful?

Answer 3

• Elizabeth still hoped to negotiate with Phillip II. England was not formally at war with Spain so Leicester was not given enough resources to defeat the Spanish.
• Some of Leicester’s officers defected to the Spanish side which damaged relations with the Dutch rebels.
• The Earl of Leicester and Elizabeth had different aims in the Netherlands. Leicester wanted to end Spanish rule, making the Netherlands an independent country. Elizabeth wanted to go back to how it had been governed in 1548 when it remained under Spanish control yet certain freedoms were given to it.

Question 4

What were the results of the campaign in the Netherlands?

Answer 4

• Achieved very little.
• Dudley (Earl of Leicester) could only disrupt Spanish forces in the Netherlands and could not defeat them.
• Dudley did manage to stop the Spanish from capturing a deep-water port on the English Channel. This was important because it denied the Spanish Armada the chance to link up with the Duke of Parma’s troops in 1588.

Question 5

Describe Drake’s attack on Cadiz where he “singed the King of Spain’s beard”.

Answer 5

• Spain gradually building up its Armada since 1586 (invasion fleet to invade England).
• In 1587, Elizabeth ordered Drake to attack the Spanish navy. He attacked Cadiz, a major Spanish naval port, destroying 30 ships and much of the fleet’s supplies.
• Drake continued to attack Spanish coastal ports and treasure ships.

Question 6

What was the importance of Drake’s attacks on Cadiz and Spain?

Answer 6

• Spain had to take a break from building the Armada in order to defend itself against Drake.
• Delayed the Armada’s invasion plans by a year.
• Bought England more time to prepare for the eventual Spanish attack in 1588.