The English Victory over Spain
The English Victory over Spain was Largely Down
To Luck. To What Extent do you Agree With This?
The Spanish fleet set sail against England in 1588 to overthrow Elizabeth I of England, but failed to do so. I believe, to an extent, the reason the English won was largely down to luck. However I also feel some of their strong ideas, and the lack of common sense of the Spanish, must have contributed towards their victory in some way or another. Prince Phillip II of Spain decided to invade England for several reasons. The main ones were that Elizabeth I had turned down his marriage proposal, he wanted the power of being king of England and he felt he should turn the country from Protestant to Catholic. English sailors were stealing treasure from Spanish ships and were helping the Dutch fight the Spanish. Phillip thought he had a claim to the throne and was supported by the Pope.
Prince Phillip was optimistic about his Armada attack on England. He had over one hundred and thirty ships, he owned more land than the Roman Empire, his army was modern and well equipped and he was doing God’s work.
The Spanish fleet set out with 22 warships of the Spanish Royal Navy and 108 converted merchant vessels. The original experienced commander had died and was replaced by Medina Sidonia who had no experience at sea. The plan was to sail through the English Channel and anchor off the coast of Flanders. They would meet the Duke of Parma’s army there ready for an invasion of the south east of England.
The Armada sailed up the English Channel in a crescent shape and anchored outside Gravelines off the coast of France near Calais. While waiting for Parma’s army they were taken by surprise and attacked by the English fire ships. Fire ships were inexpensive sometime old ships sent out filled with flammable material to damage or frighten the enemies boats. The weather was favorable to the English and the ships drifted into the Spanish crescent, causing panic
To Luck. To What Extent do you Agree With This?
The Spanish fleet set sail against England in 1588 to overthrow Elizabeth I of England, but failed to do so. I believe, to an extent, the reason the English won was largely down to luck. However I also feel some of their strong ideas, and the lack of common sense of the Spanish, must have contributed towards their victory in some way or another. Prince Phillip II of Spain decided to invade England for several reasons. The main ones were that Elizabeth I had turned down his marriage proposal, he wanted the power of being king of England and he felt he should turn the country from Protestant to Catholic. English sailors were stealing treasure from Spanish ships and were helping the Dutch fight the Spanish. Phillip thought he had a claim to the throne and was supported by the Pope.
Prince Phillip was optimistic about his Armada attack on England. He had over one hundred and thirty ships, he owned more land than the Roman Empire, his army was modern and well equipped and he was doing God’s work.
The Spanish fleet set out with 22 warships of the Spanish Royal Navy and 108 converted merchant vessels. The original experienced commander had died and was replaced by Medina Sidonia who had no experience at sea. The plan was to sail through the English Channel and anchor off the coast of Flanders. They would meet the Duke of Parma’s army there ready for an invasion of the south east of England.
The Armada sailed up the English Channel in a crescent shape and anchored outside Gravelines off the coast of France near Calais. While waiting for Parma’s army they were taken by surprise and attacked by the English fire ships. Fire ships were inexpensive sometime old ships sent out filled with flammable material to damage or frighten the enemies boats. The weather was favorable to the English and the ships drifted into the Spanish crescent, causing panic