Spanish Armada, 1588

• Who were the commanders involved in the Spanish armada?

  • Sir Francis Drake 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿, very experienced with Spain's ships and tactics after attacking them in the new world
  • Medina Sidonia 🇪🇸, little experience of naval war (battle at sea), relying on able to invade England to do hand-to-hand combat
  • Duke of Parma 🇪🇸, commanded Spain’s army in the Netherland, unprepared when England attacked as messages between sidonia and him were delayed
• Why did Philip II see the Treaty of Nonsuch as a declaration of war?


  Because it indicated England's support for the Dutch rebels against Spain.
• What did Elizabeth send Drake to do in 1587?

  To spy on Spanish preparations and attack their ships and supplies.
• What was the impact of Drake's raid on the Spanish Armada's preparations?

  It delayed the Armada by more than a year.
• What was one consequence of Drake capturing seasoned wood during his raids?


  The Spanish had to make their barrels from unseasoned wood, which couldn't preserve food and water well.
• What did Drake mean by 'singeing the King of Spain's beard'?


  He inflicted temporary damage on King Philip's Armada but hadn't destroyed it entirely.
• What was the size of the Spanish Armada launched in 1588?

  Around 130 ships, manned by approximately 8,000 sailors and carrying an estimated 18,000 soldiers.
• Who was appointed to lead the Spanish Armada?

  The Duke of Medina Sidonia.
• What was the effect of the English navy's minor raids on the Spanish Armada?

  They were unable to inflict much damage, losing only two ships by accident.
• What caused panic among the Spanish sailors at Calais?

  The English sent eight fireships among the anchored Spanish ships.
• What happened to the Spanish ships after regrouping at Gravelines?

  They were forced to sail away from the French coast and into the North Sea.
• What was the outcome of the Armada's journey back to Spain?

  It was a disaster, with many ships sinking or wrecked.
• How many men made it back to Spain from the Armada?

  Fewer than 10,000 men.
• What were some English strengths that contributed to the defeat of the Armada?

  Improved shipbuilding, faster and easier-to-handle ships, and quicker reloading of cannons.
• What was a significant flaw in the Spanish plan for the Armada?

  They didn't control a deep water port where the Armada could anchor safely.
• How did the death of Admiral Santa Cruz affect the Armada?


  It led to the appointment of the inexperienced Duke of Medina Sidonia to lead the Armada.
• What was the long-term effect of England's victory over the Armada?

  It removed the threat of a Spanish invasion and contributed to England's development as a strong naval power.
• What was the outcome of Philip's further Armadas sent in the 1590s?

  Both were unsuccessful.
• How did the victory of 1588 affect Elizabeth's popularity?

  It boosted her popularity and strengthened the Protestant cause.
• What were the key factors that contributed to the defeat of the Spanish Armada?

  • English strengths: improved shipbuilding, faster ships, quicker cannon reloading
  • Spanish weaknesses: inexperienced sailors, flawed plan to meet Duke of Parma
  • Luck: death of Admiral Santa Cruz, adverse weather conditions
• What were the consequences of the defeat of the Spanish Armada for England?

  • Removed the threat of Spanish invasion
  • Contributed to England's development as a strong naval power
  • Boosted Elizabeth's popularity and strengthened Protestantism
• What was Phillips’s plan for the Spanish armada?

  to meet Parma’s army at Dunkirk, where thousands more soldiers were stationed in the Netherlands
• What year did Francis Drake attack the Spanish port of Cadiz?

  1587
• What was the significance of Drake's attack on Cadiz known as the 'singeing of the King of Spain's beard'?

  It was a major setback in Spain's preparations for the Armada.
• Why did Philip II begin building a huge fleet (Armada) in response to the Treaty of Nonsuch?

  He saw it as a declaration of war on Spain.
• Who did Elizabeth send to spy on Spanish preparations and attack their ships and supplies?


  Francis Drake
• What was Drake's strategy for attacking the Spanish fleet in 1587?

  He chose to attack Cadiz instead of Lisbon due to its weaker defenses.
• What was the condition of the port of Cadiz compared to Lisbon?

  Cadiz was not well defended compared to Lisbon.
• What did Drake aim to seize or destroy during his attack on Cadiz?

  Naval supplies and ships.
• How many ships did Drake destroy during his raid on Cadiz?

  Around 30 ships.
• What types of supplies did Drake seize during his raid on Cadiz?

  Food and weapons.
• What did Drake do after his successful raid on Cadiz?


  He sailed along the coast of Spain and Portugal, seizing Spanish ships and destroying supplies.
• What was the name of the Spanish ship Drake captured that was returning from the Americas?

  San Filipe
• What valuable cargo did the San Filipe carry?

  Gold, spices, and silk.
• How did the raid on Cadiz impact Philip's plans for the Armada?

  It delayed the Armada by more than a year.
• What financial impact did Drake's raids have on Spain?

  They seriously strained Spain's finances due to the cost of obtaining fresh supplies and weapons.
• What type of wood did Drake capture that was essential for the Spanish Armada?

  Seasoned wood for making barrels.
• What was the consequence of the Spanish having to use unseasoned wood for their barrels?

  It couldn't preserve food and water very well.
• How did Drake describe his raid on Cadiz in relation to the King of Spain's Armada?

  He described it as inflicting temporary damage that would eventually grow back.
• What supply problems did the Spanish Armada face as a result of Drake's raid?

  Fresh water supplies were lost and many tons of food rotted.