The Spanish Armada

Question 1

What are 6 reasons why Philip invaded England?

Answer 1

Marriage proposals
Religion/Catholicism
Colonies and privateering
Holland
Mary Queen of Scots
Ireland

Question 2

Explain why marriage proposals was a reason for Philip to invade.

Answer 2

• Philip ll had been married to Elizabeth’s half sisters, Mary, who ruled the country before her
• when Mary died, Philip asked Elizabeth to marry him on several occasions, first in 1588, but she always refused which angered Philip
• from then on they became great enemies

Question 3

Explain why religion was a reason for Philip to invade

Answer 3

Philip was committed to Catholicism and believed that all countries should be Catholic.
He was annoyed that Elizabeth had returned Protestantism to England

Question 4

Explain why privateering and colonies was a reason for Philip to invade

Answer 4

English privateers carried out raiding voyages, around a hundred each year. These privateers were similar to pirates except they gave some of their profits to the queen.
Spain ruled several countries in the ‘New World’ (south America) and competed with England for colonies.
At first this rivalry was peaceful, but in 1567 it turned violent
English sailors, namely sir Francis Drake, regularly raided Spanish ships bringing treasures from the new world, in particular, a treasure ship bound for the Netherlands
This angered Philip and worsened relations between England and Spain

Question 5

Explain why Holland was a reason for Philip to invade

Answer 5

Holland was controlled by Spain, but was a protestant country with close links to England.
In 1585 Elizabeth sent an army to help the people of Holland fight against the Spanish.
For the first time England and Spain were at war

Question 6

Explain why Mary Queen of Scots was a reason for Philip to invade

Answer 6

Mary was found guilty of plotting against Elizabeth and was executed in February 1587
Philip was said to be furious that a fellow catholic, who he believed should be queen of England, had been executed.

Question 7

Explain why Ireland was a reason for Philip to invade

Answer 7

Ireland was catholic country which Philip could use as a base to attack England.
In the 1570’s Spanish troops were sent to Ireland.

Question 8

What is an armada?

Answer 8

A fleet of warships

Question 9

From which country was Philip to collect his army?

Answer 9

Netherlands

Question 10

How many ships did the Spanish have?

Answer 10

130

Question 11

Who was the Duke of Medina Sidonia?

Answer 11

One of the richest noblemen in Europe, he had never fought at sea.

Question 12

Where did the English fleet gather?

Answer 12

Plymouth - south coast of England.

Question 13

How many ships did the English have?

Answer 13

55

Question 14

Name the two commanders in the English army?

Answer 14

Admiral Lord Howard and sir Francis Drake.

Question 15

Why were the English marooned at Plymouth?

Answer 15

The wind and tide were flowing inland.

Question 16

Why did the Spanish not attack the English when they were marooned in Plymouth?

Answer 16

Philip gave the order not to engage, the Spanish were to sail to Calais to meet up with sailors from the Netherlands.

Question 17

What formation did the armada sail in?

Answer 17

Crescent

Question 18

How did the Spanish navy traditionally fight?

Answer 18

They threw grappling hooks on to the enemy ships, pulled themselves towards them and jumped onto the ships to fight hand to hand.

Question 19

What were the 5 reasons for the armada failing?

Answer 19

The Spanish artillery
Weather
English tactics
Spanish mistakes
Ship design

Question 20

Explain why spanish artillery was a reason why the armada failed

Answer 20

The Spanish could on,y fire once every hour at the battle of Graveline because they had too many priests on board and not enough experienced sailors.

Question 21

Explain why weather played a part in the armada failing

Answer 21

The English ships sailed behind the Spanish so that they would have the wind at their backs.
After the battle of Graveline the Spanish were blown towards the sandbanks at Flanders and the water became too shallow to sail in and many ships sank. As they sailed around the west coast of Ireland, they were caught up in a storm and thousands were killed.

Question 22

Explain why english tactics was a reason why the armada failed

Answer 22

They sailed in a line to stern so that the leader controlled where everybody went, which made it easier to fire at ships and they could all fire at once. They kept their distance from the Spanish so that they couldn’t be boarded. They set 8 of their own ships alight and allowed the wind to sail them towards the armada, causing them to scatter and break formation.

Question 23

Explain the Spanish mistakes

Answer 23

Because the Spanish sailed in a crescent formation it was easier for the English to get close and harder for the Spanish to get away.

Question 24

Explain why the ship design was a reason why the armada failed

Answer 24

Spanish ships were built right out of the water which made them very cumbersome and slow. But the English ships were smaller, faster and more menouverable

Question 25

When did the armada set sail the first time and what happened?

Answer 25

In April 1588

They were blown off course and ships were damaged.

Question 26

When did the armada set sail?

Answer 26

In may 1588

Question 27

When did the English spot the armada?

Answer 27

July 29

Question 28

When and were did the Spanish drop anchor.

Answer 28

On 6th August near Calais.

Question 29

Who was the Spanish commander?

Answer 29

Medina Sidonia

Question 30

What is fireship tactics?

Answer 30

The English set some of their ships alight and let them drift towards the Spanish fleet, the Spanish panicked and scattered.