The Spanish Armada

“God Blew and They were Scattered”

Who’s Who

English PlayersElizabeth IMary IMary Queen of ScotsFrancis Drake

Spanish PlayersPhillip IIDuke of PramaPrincess Isabella

Why Would Spain Attack

England?

Problems Spain Faced Problem 1

In 1587, Drake attacked Cadiz harbour and destroyed or damaged a number of ships that were being prepared by the Spanish for the Armada

Problem 2

The stores put on board the new ships rotted as the barrels that contained the food and water were made of new wood which was still damp. This rotted the food and made the water sour.

Problem 3

The plan was to get to the Spanish Netherlands, pick up Spanish soldiers who were stationed there and invade England's south coast. But there was no obvious port to pick up the soldiers in the Netherlands.

Problem 4

Spain's Lord High Admiral was the famous Santa Cruz. He was a respected and successful admiral. He died in 1586. The admiral chosen by Philip to lead the Armada after Cruz's death was a very rich and successful general called the Duke of Medina Sidonia. Though a good general, Medina Sidonia had never been to sea before and when he did get on board his ship, he got seasick. Why did King Philip select a man who had never been to sea before to lead the world's then largest naval fleet?

Problem 5

The Armada first sailed in April 1588. It hit a terrible storm and many ships were damaged. They had to return to port to get repaired.

Elizabeth’s Speech at

Tilbury 1588 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r4E_y9nA_

E&feature=related

The Spanish Armada – Elizabeth the Golden

Age http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPQw_v6tU

xI&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=06weqy56XzM&feature=relmfu

Elizabeth I, Armada Portrait

by George Gower 1588