2.4 The Spanish Armada

Question 1

When did spain launch the armada?

Answer 1

1588

Question 2

How many ships in the spanish fleet?

Answer 2

136

Question 3

How many soldiers and sailors were in the spanish fleet?

Answer 3

8000 sailors and 18000 soldiers

Question 4

Who did pnillip appoint to lead the armada?

Answer 4

Duke of Medina Sidonia

Question 5

Why did Phillip pick Medina Sidona ?

Answer 5

Respected his high social status and trusted him to obey instructions.

Question 6

What was Medina Sidonias reaction to being picked by Phillip?

Answer 6

Duke had little military or naval experience, and tried unsuccessfully to turn down the command

Question 7

Who were the leaders of the english fleet

Answer 7

Howard but drake was in second command

Question 8

What was phillips role in the armada?

Answer 8

Strategic commandsr

Question 9

How many galleon ships did england have?

Answer 9

24

Question 10

What were galleon ships ?

Answer 10

Best and quickest ships in the world

Question 11

What was phillips initial plan?

Answer 11

Thousands of soldier stationed in the Netherlands under the duke of parma. Phillips plan was for the armada to meet parmas army at Dunkirk . The combined forces would then sail across the channel to england under protection of armadas warships.

Question 12

Why was the armada delayed for a couple of weeks in 1588?

Answer 12

armada set out in may 1588 but was delayed for weeks because off ,Bad weather in the bay of biscay and by the attempts of english fleet to intercept it

Question 13

Where did the armada set sail for ?

Answer 13

Calais

Question 14

What happens in the spanish armada in 1588 july?

Answer 14

Spanish fleet was sighted off Cornwall and beacons (signal fires) were lit along the south coast to send the news to elizabeth in london. English ships set sail from Plymouth to meet armada

Question 15

What was the english tactic ?

Answer 15

• Split forces to get on the west side of the armada to have the wind behind them
• dont get too close to spanish ships so they can grapple them

Question 16

What was the spanish formation?

Answer 16

Sailed up channel in crescent formation which used the large armed galleons to protect the weaker supply and troops ships . Good defensive formation

Question 17

What happened when they first met?

Answer 17

English ships carried out a few minor raids and took two spanish ships down

Question 18

What happened to phillips plan of meeting Parma at calais?

Answer 18

-Sidonia sailed up channel and anchored at calais to wait for parmas troops. Parma was being blocked by dutch ships and couldn’t reach the coast line.

Question 19

What happened at the battle of the gravelines?

Answer 19

• In the middle of the night, english sent 8 fire ships (loaded with flammable material ) among anchored spanish ships . This caused panic among spanish sailors , who cut their anchor cables,broke formation and head for open sea.
• spanish regrouped at grave lines but weather meant they could not get back into formation. English moved in and the battle lasted for hours , five spanish ships were sunk, and the rest of the fleet was forced to sail away.
• english fleet followed the spanish as far as north of scotland to make sure they did not go ad regroup and collect parmas army

Question 20

Where is gravelines?

Answer 20

In the netherlands, just next to calais

Question 21

What happened at the battle of isle of wight?

Answer 21

Nothing no ships sunk

Question 22

What happened on the armadas journey back to spain?

Answer 22

• medina sidonia called off attack and returned to spain sailing around scotland and ireland. Spanish sailors were unfamiliar with this route and encountered terrible Atlantic storms
• many ships sank or were wrecked on the scottish and irish coasts, where the locals showed survivors little mercy. Ran short of supplies and many died of diseases or starvation. Less than half the fleet and 10000 men made it back to spain

Question 23

How the english strengths contributed to the defeat of the spanish armada?

Answer 23

• english improved their ship building , giving them a technological advantage. Spain had large ships , difficult to handle. England built long narrow ships which were faster and easier to handle. English cannons could also be reloaded more quickly
• tactics were better. Spanish looked to come alongside opponents and board their vessels, to fight face to face with enemy. English didnt allow this to happens , staying out of range. They fired massive amount of cannonballs at spanish ships
• drake

Question 24

Spanish weaknesses

Answer 24

• most men lacked experience of naval warfare compared to england
• spanish planning to meet duke of parma at Dunkirk was flawed. Spain didnt control the port and were easy targets while waiting for Parmas troops
• sidonia and phillips lack of trust

Question 25

How did luck contribute to the defeat of the spanish armada?

Answer 25

• death of spains leading admiral in 1588, led to Sidonia
• weather made it impossible for spanish fleets to return to battle and forced them into dangerous Scottish and irish waters.

Question 26

Why Englands victory was significant?

Answer 26

• Phillip sent two armadas in 1590s, bot failed. Although war with spain continued for 15 years , the armada of 1588 was the last real threat
• led to england having a strong naval power to rival spain. English ships went on voyages of discovery and established valuable trade routes, especially with india and far east. Also playing a role in colonisation of north america
• english win strengthened elizabeths popularity and protestant cause , sign God favoured protestantism

Question 27

Best reason for England winning ?

Answer 27

Drakes intelligence and experience and elizabeth let him do it all