OUTBREAK OF WAR WITH SPAIN, 1585 - 88

• TREATY OF NONSUCH 1585

  • On 10th August 1585, Elizabeth signed the Treaty of Nonsuch with the Protestant rebel government ‘The Council of State’
  • Elizabeth agreed to send 7,400 troops to fight alongside the Dutch rebels
  • Elizabeth placed Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, in charge of the campaign
  • It effectively meant Spain and England were at war with each other
  • Alongside the Treaty of Nonsuch, Elizabeth used Sir Francis Drake
  • She ordered Drake to raid the Spanish settlements in the Americas
• DUDLEY IN THE NETHERLANDS 1585-87

  • Dudley arrived at the end of 1585
  • In January 1586, Dudley accepted the title 'Governor General of the Netherlands' on Elizabeth's behalf which angered her as she believed it undermined Philip II as the Netherlands’ anointed monarch
  • England's progress against the Duke of Parma was slow
  • Dudley was not a capable military leader. He came across as arrogant
  • The Dutch rebels questioned Dudley’s decision-making
  • Dudley trusted Sir William Stanley to govern the town of Deventer. In Jan 1587, Stanley defected and gave the town to Spain
• DUDLEY IN THE NETHERLANDS 1585-87

  • SUCCESSES:
  • In 1587, Dudley successfully prevented Parma from capturing the deep sea port of Ostend, which would prove pivotal in the Spanish Armada of 1588
  • Elizabeth eventually lost trust in Dudley’s ability to succeed in the Netherlands
  • She reduced the amount of money she invested in the campaign
  • She insisted Dudley return to England in November 1586. She ended the entire Dutch campaign by the end of 1587
• 'SINGEING OF THE KING OF SPAIN'S BEARD'

  • On 19th April 1587, Drake arrived at the Spanish port of Cadiz
  • Cadiz was an important port for Spain
  • The majority of Spain's voyages to the Americas started in Cadiz
  • As a result, Cadiz harbour held the majority of Spain's most advanced and valuable ships 
  • Drake selects a small but specialized fleet and sets sail from Plymouth in Apr 1587.
• • Bad weather delays the mission. During this time, 2 Dutch ships inform Drake about Spain's war fleet in Cadiz harbor.
  • Drake's fleet arrives in Cadiz on Apr 19th. He sails into the harbor, avoiding its forts and guns.
  • Over 2 days, Drake loots, burns, or sinks an estimated 30 Spanish ships.
  • The fleet then sails north, destroying ships carrying materials for barrels - were intended to store the Spanish Armada's food supplies.
  • Finally, Drake sails to the Azores, where his fleet captures a Spanish treasure ship. He returns to England with £114,000 worth of stolen Spanish treasure.
• CONSEQUENCES

  • Short-term consequences - Drake's actions caused fear amongst the Spanish admirals. The Spanish navy did not know when or if Drake would attack again
  • Mid-term consequences - The raid on Cadiz embarrassed Spain. It affected Spain's reputation as a European power. It proved that England's galleons and naval command were better than Spain's