The Spanish Armada

Question 1

What were reasons for the Spanish Armada?

Answer 1

The death of Mary
Piracy- English sailors such as Francis Drake stole treasures from Spanish ships in the New World
Marriage rejection- Elizabeth rejected Philip’s marriage proposal
Elizabeth supported the Dutch revolt (in 1586, she sent an army to help Dutch rebels fight Spain)
Religious differences

Question 2

How did the Dutch war begin?

Answer 2

Spain used the Netherlands for trade routes to sail through the English Channel
Protestants in the Netherlands rose up against Catholic rule and rioted, breaking items in Catholic churches in 1566
In 1567, Philip sent an army of 10,000 troops to crush the rebellion under the command of the Duke of Alba
Over 18,000 Dutch Protestants were arrested and over 1000 were burnt to death

Question 3

How did Elizabeth react to the events in the Netherlands?

Answer 3

She signed the Treaty of Nonsuch with the Dutch rebels in 1585
Through this, she agreed to become the protector of Dutch Protestants and sent a force of 5000 troops and 1000 cavalry
She also sent Francis Drake to raid Spanish ships in the Caribbean

Question 4

When did the Spanish fleet set sail?

Answer 4

1588 May 28th

Question 5

What was Philip’s plan?

Answer 5

First made in 1586
Sail north from Lisbon along the coasts of Spain and France into the English Channel, destroying the English fleet
Anchor the Spanish fleet off Calais
17,000 experienced soldiers from the Netherlands would meet at Dunkirk to invade England (led by the Duke of Parma)
Armada would guard soldiers
Parma’s army would land in Kent and proceed up the Thames to them overthrow Elizabeth
English Catholics would join in rebellion against Elizabeth

Question 6

Name events that hindered the sailing of the Armada

Answer 6

Philip ignored advice from ministers to delay the launch
Philip chose Duke of Medina Sidonia to take over (commander of the Armada died in Feb 1588), he felt like he wasn’t qualified for the job, Philip ignored him
Armada ran into a bad storm and was blown off course (seeked refuge at Corunna)
No harbours in the Netherlands were deep enough for the Spanish ships

Question 7

What did Francis Drake do in Cadiz?

Answer 7

On the 20th of April, he sailed into the harbour of Cadiz and attacked the Spanish fleet
He claimed to have destroyed 37 ships but the report sent back to Philip said 24
He also burnt important timber supplies like seasoned wood
This delayed the Spanish Armada for a year, allowing the English to prepare

Question 8

Name the features of the Armada

Answer 8

Led by the Duke of Medina Sidonia
130 ships: 64 battleships, 22 huge galleons, 45 converted merchant ships
30,000 men on the fleet
1,900 large cannons, could fire heavy cannon balls (short distance)
Crescent formation

Question 9

How did England prepare for the Armada?

Answer 9

Commanded by Lord Howard of Effingham
200 ships (54 fast, light battleships, 140 converted merchant ships)
14,000 men on the fleet, 20,000 on land
200 smaller canons (could fire over short distances)

Question 10

Where did the Armada set sail from?

Answer 10

Lisbon, they later faced harsh storms and harboured in Corunna on June 19th
Later left on the 21st of July and sailed north to the English Channel

Question 11

When was the Armada spotted?

Answer 11

29th of July in off Lizard Point in Cornwall

Question 12

What happened in Calais?

Answer 12

6th of August, the Armada anchored off Calais, Duke of Parma’s forces would arrive late due to attacks from Dutch forces
On the 7th of August, 8 English fireships attacked the Armada and broke the crescent formation

Question 13

What was the Battle of Gravelines?

Answer 13

8th of August, British warship scattered the Armada at the Battle of Gravelines near Dunkirk
8 hours in and the English ships began to run out of ammunition, they were later forced to pull back
No english ships were lost but at least 3 Spanish ships were
About 1000 Spaniards had been killed and over 800 wounded
Only 50 English soldiers had been killed

Question 14

Why was the Battle of Gravelines a turning point?

Answer 14

The Spanish plan to join with Parma’s army had been defeated and gave the English breathing space

Question 15

What happened on the 9th of August?

Answer 15

Elizabeth visited her troops in Tilbury and gave a speech
The wind also changed direction, forcing the Armada to sail north around the coast of Scotland and Ireland
The English fleet continued to pursue the Armada until it sailed past the Scottish border on the 12th of August, then turned back

Question 16

What happened to the Spanish as it sailed around Scotland and Ireland?

Answer 16

They lacked accurate maps around the coasts of Scotland and Ireland
Lost more of their fleet caused by horrible storms that led to shipwreck
Thousands of Spanish sailors drowned, any of those who made it to dry land were killed

Question 17

What was the result of the Armada?

Answer 17

England: 0 ships destroyed
100 sailors killed in battle but many died of disease

Spain: 51 ships destroyed (5 sunk or captured by the English)
20,000 Spanish soldiers killed

English sea dogs continued to attack treasure ships
War with Spain continued for a decade
Second Armada failed again due to weather

Question 18

What were reasons for the failure of the Armada?

Answer 18

English ships were smaller and faster
Severe storms
Spanish cannons were poor quality and many would explode when fired
Duke of Parma not turning up on time