Elizabeth- Conflict with Spain / Spanish Armada Flashcards
Why were there bad relations between England and Spain?
- English supporting rebellions in Netherlands
- Tariffs on trade of wool between Netherlands and England
- Privateers stealing Spanish gold (e.g. Drake)
- Various plots involving the Spanish ambassadors (Ridolfi, Throckmorton)
Why did tensions turn to war?
- Treaty of Nonsuch between England and dutch rebels- sending over 7000 troops → England and Spain therefore were formally at war
- The death of Mary Queen of Scots outraged Philip
What did Philip call an invasion of England?
His ‘Enterprise of England’
How big was the Spainish fleet?
- 130 ships
- 30,000 men
- 2500 guns
How big was the British army?
- 20,000 men gathered
- poorly trained
- 34 battleships in the navy, but trading companies were ordered to make their ships available so there were then 200 ships in total
What initially happened in the Spanish armada?
Initially the Spanish were unharmed as they travelled up the coast (only 3 ships sunk)
What did the English fleet have that the Spanish fellt didn’t?
- Better designed ships, lighter and more manouverable
- Better commanders (England had Lord Howard and Francis Drake in comparison to Medina Sedonia who got seasickness)
- Spanish fleet had more preists than sailors
- Many of the Spanish soldiers couldn’t compotently load a canon
- English used light long range guns called ‘culverins’ so that the Spanish couldn’t use their grappling hooks
What happened at Calais?
- With winds rising sharply, the armada anchored at Calais
- Night of 28 July 1588, 7 English fireships were sent to the Spanish armada
- This seperated the ships and chaos happened
When was the Spanish Armada?
1588
What was the key battle after the fireships in Calais?
Battle of Gravelines off the coast of Flanders- English didn’t loose a single ship.
What speech did Elizabeth give to troops in Tilbury, Essex?
“I know that I have the body of a weal and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a King,”
What happened to the Spanish fleet in the end?
They were forced to go round Scotland and Ireland- but many were shipwrecked due to the strong winds before being robbed by Irish locals
What was the aftermath of the Armada for Spain?
- Humiliation for Philip
- Cost him lots of money
- Atempted two more armadas but both were detered by weather
What was the aftermath of the Armada for Elizabeth?
- Great propaganda (e.g. the Armada portrait)
- War would be very expensive for the poorest in society
