Armada Flashcards
Reasons for the Armada
RELGION
-wanted to get rid of heresy
-Papacy wanted Elizabeth overthrown since
excommunicating in 1570
-Pope promised those who were involved would be sinless and Phillip would get a reward if it was successful
PROVOCATION
-Drake actions in the new world
-Elizabeth 1 support for the Dutch rebels since their rebellion began
Phillip strategy
Phillip Armada was the largest Europe fleet under the command of Medina Sidonia it was ordered to sail along the English channel to Netherlands
It would join up with the Duke of Parma
They would then transport troops to Kent and Parma would march on London to depose Elizabeth and impose a new catholic government
How did England defeat the Spanish Armada
SHIPS-Galleons were fast and easily manoeuvrable, could fire more cannon balls with more speed
LONG TERM PLANNING
Spanish supplies
Less barrels because of drake so they made to make new ones
There was a delay because of the bad weather and when England boarded the first Spanish ship they captured they found the food supplies already rotting
Documents already written my Sidonia indicates they were low on supplies
Planning and communication issues
Plan was Median-Sidonia would join with Parma who was meant to command a fleet
1)Duke of Parma had no large ships only small ones which took 48 hrs to load man and set sail once word came from Sidonia to join this fleet.
2)Communications between Parma and Sidonia were by sea so they were unreliable
Took a week for word to reach Parma that Sidonia was in the channel by this time medina Sidonia was off in Calais waiting to engage the English, the message got through but it was too late fleet would not be ready and English were there to attack
English tactics
The Armada was spotted on the 29 July 1988
English started to fire on 31 July and captured 2 ships
3-4 August exchanges of heavy cannon fire on isle of wight
English could fire cannon further then Spain could so the Earl of Nottingham decides to conserve the balls for the decisive battle
The battles of gravelines 8 August 1588
6 August the English sent fireships in amongst the Spanish fleet although they did very little damage there created havoc by scattering the armada but it then regrouped on 8 August the English engaged the Spanish ships in the battle of grave line.
Sidonia had to fight without Parma ships and the English defeated the armada the wind wreaked the Spanish ships
Consequences of the English victory over the Spanish Armada
Elizabeth 1 addressed her troops at Tilbury where they were still assembled ready to defeat England from a possible attack from the Netherlands by Parma
Why did the Armada fail
Elizabeth listened to expert advice Weather Superior English ships Armada was badly supplied Poor communication between Spanish and dutch fleets
