Why was there conflict between England and Spain

• Changes made during Elizabeth's reign to the ships

  1. Having cannons on carriages to have a faster rate of fire

  2. Using the sextant to increase accuracy in measuring where you were far from the stars
• Lateen sail


  A new type of triangular sail that meant there could be faster and more maneuverable ships in battle
• English navy


  • Preferred raids over direct battles
  • English ships were small and easy to turn, meaning it was easier to hit and run than stand and face off the much bigger Spanish ships
• Francis Drake


  • Raided Cadiz in 1587, destroying many Spanish ships and taking lots of gold
• Fireships


  Old or captured ships that were set on fire and sent into a fleet or harbour causing chaos and damage
• Line of battle tactic


  Ships created a single line and fired at the enemy until the ships sank
• Why England and Spain went to war

  • Elizabeth rejected his marriage proposal
  • Protestant vs Catholic
  • Piracy - Elizabeth raided Spanish ships
  • Elizabeth sent troops to help the Netherlands' rebellion
  • Francis Drake sank Spanish ships