8 - The Armada

Question 1

What was the Spanish invasion plan in 1588?

Answer 1

• The Armada would sail through the English Channel to Calais
• The Duke of Parma, one of the most able commanders in Europe, would march his army of 20,000 troops from the Netherlands to meet the Armada in Calais
• Parma’s army would be ferried across the channel in barges, protected by the larger Spanish ships
• The Spanish forces would land in Kent and then march into London, all English Catholics would rise up in support
• Elizabeth would then have to surrender, and Catholicism would be restored in England

Question 2

What were the contributing factors to the failure of the Spanish Armada?

Answer 2

• Planning
• Fighting forces: soldiers and sailors
• Weapons: ships and cannons
• Leadership
• Luck

Question 3

How did poor planning contribute to the failure of the Spanish Armada?

Answer 3

• Philip II failed to realise that it would be extremely difficult for the Duke of Parma’s army to meet the Spanish army in Calais at the same time, due to an inability to communicate directly between the armies and the presence of the Dutch rebels in the Spanish Netherlands, who would slow down Parma’s army
• The Spanish were not in possession of a port and did not have any allies joining in with the war
• The Spanish did not take into account that they could not jump overboard and invade English ships, as they could not get close enough due to English long-range cannons
• The most significant factor in the failure of the Armada

Question 4

How did the Spanish fighting forces contribute to the failure of the Armada?

Answer 4

• There were actually 30,000 Spanish men compared to 14,000 English sailors, however only 8000 Spanish men were experienced sailors, and most of the sailors had only had experience in calmer, Mediterranean waters
• The Spanish also did not have the Duke of Parma’s experienced fighters as they had been held up in the Spanish Netherlands by Dutch rebels
• The soldiers also proved ineffective due to poor planning and English long range cannons, therefore they could not invade ships by jumping aboard
• Possibly the least significant factor in the failure of the Armada, as manpower was present to beat the British, good planning or better weapons would have aided the soldiers.

Question 5

How did Spanish weapons contribute to the failure of the Armada?

Answer 5

• Although the Spanish had 64 battleships, 22 huge galleons, 45 converted merchant ships and 20 store ships, the ships were slower and harder to manoeuvre compared to English ships which were faster and more agile
• The Spanish had 2000 cannons, but they were heavier than English ones and could only fire once as soldiers would usually board enemy ships after one shot. English cannons could fire consecutively which is why they inflicted large damage on the Spanish ships in the Battle of the Gravelines.
• The British had actually positioned themselves in the wrong place, in Tilbury instead of Kent, however this proved insignificant as long range cannons allowed them to keep the Spanish away from land
• Possible the second most significant factor in the failure of the Armada

Question 6

How did leadership contribute to the failure of the Spanish Armada?

Answer 6

• The British had very experienced leaders, including Lord Howard, who was the commander responsible for breaking up the crescent formation, by sending empty fire ships towards the Spanish fleet anchored in Calais, causing them to cut their anchors, breaking up the strong crescent formation, and causing the ships to become scattered. On the 8th August, the British then attacked in the Battle of the Gravelines.
• Sir Francis Drake and John Hawkins were also key figures in the success of the English army. Drake had slowed the progress of the Armada and was also vice admiral of the fleet attacking the Armada, Hawkins redesigned English ships and was a naval commander against the Armada
• The Duke of Medina Sidonia for the Spanish did not have a Naval background and the Spanish were left vulnerable when they anchored at Calais, however the planning was unrealistic, making his job difficult.
• The experience of the British leaders was a contributing factor to the failure of the Armada (fourth most significant factor).

Question 7

How did luck contribute to the failure of the Spanish Armada?

Answer 7

• There was unseasonal weather in July 1588, the wind had blown the fire ships all the way to the Spanish ships in the Battle of the Gravelines
• The wind then switched north, forcing many Spanish ships into the North Sea. Many ships were wrecked and soldiers drowned or were killed by inhabitants. Only 80 ships made it back to Spain after travelling around Scotland and then the west coast of Ireland back down south.
• The Dutch rebels attacking the Spanish army was also bad luck
• Luck was possibly the third most significant factor resulting in the failure of the Spanish Armada

Question 8

What were the consequences of an English victory?

Answer 8

• Established Britain as a strong power as they had defeated the most powerful country in the world
• Perhaps established Protestantism as the rightful religion of England, especially after beliefs of the Protestant winds deciding the war
• Reduced chance of future invasion due to the failure of Spanish intervention
• Established Elizabeth as a rightful and powerful queen