Privateers allowed the United Kingdom to plunder boats full of Spanish gold. English piracy was an important factor that lead up to the formation of the Spanish Armada. At its largest the Spanish Armada was the largest fleet of warships in all of Europe. However, when they attacked the English privateers fleet, they lost due to bad weather and poor tactics. Privateers shaped almost all the colonization efforts in North America prior to the 17th century. The privateers were so important that Queen Elizabeth paid Sir Walter Raleigh to make a settlement at Roanoke that privateers could use as a base of operations to repair their ships, and plan raids on Spanish shipments. It was a perfect incentive for the United Kingdoms to create colonies in North America so they could support the fleet of
Privateers allowed the United Kingdom to plunder boats full of Spanish gold. English piracy was an important factor that lead up to the formation of the Spanish Armada. At its largest the Spanish Armada was the largest fleet of warships in all of Europe. However, when they attacked the English privateers fleet, they lost due to bad weather and poor tactics. Privateers shaped almost all the colonization efforts in North America prior to the 17th century. The privateers were so important that Queen Elizabeth paid Sir Walter Raleigh to make a settlement at Roanoke that privateers could use as a base of operations to repair their ships, and plan raids on Spanish shipments. It was a perfect incentive for the United Kingdoms to create colonies in North America so they could support the fleet of