Question

Describe the background and events of the Armada Campaign of 1588.

Answer 1

Between 1585 and 1588 a state of undeclared war existed between England and Spain. During the course of those years, Philip II devised a plan for the 'Enterprise of England'. It was probably the most ambitious military operation of the sixteenth century: a massive invasion to be mounted jointly by a fleet sent from Spain under Alonso Perez de Muznan, dike of Medina Sidonia and the Army of Flanders commanded by Alexander Farnese, duke of Parma.

Between 18 and 20 May 1588 the 130 ships of the Felicissima Armada left Lisbon harbor. Two months later 124 of them reached the mouth of the English Channel. The following fortnight saw a naval battle that has become one of the best known of European history. Sir John Hawkins called it 'a matter far passing all that hath been seen in our time or long before'. Yet if contemporaries had no doubts about it's significance, the way it was conducted and its results have remained subjects of controversy and debate.