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==Introduction==The defeat and destruction of the Spanish Armada (in 1588 is seen by many as the high point of Elizabeth I’s of England’s reign. If the Armada had been successful then , it could have changed the course of English and indeed, world history. The defeat of the Armada was to have had profound consequences for England. The first consequence of the English victory was that it secured the its independence of that kingdom. The defeat of the Armada led to England becoming a naval power and this was to prove important in the foundation of the future British Empire. As a result of the failed invasion, by Catholic Spain, England became more self-consciously Protestant and, Catholicism became very unpopular and seen as anti-English. The defeat of the Armada was an act of divine providence and it confirmed the opinion of many that England was a kingdom destined for greatness and this was to play a very important role in English national identity for many centuries. [[File: Armada 4.jpg|200px|thumb|left| A contemporary painting of the Armada]]

==Background==In With defeat of the sixteenth centuryArmada, Europe was divided into two mutually hostile religious groups. The North of Europe was dominated by Protestantism and the south was mainly Catholic. England had become a Protestant realm by the mid-sixteenth century, but this serious European naval power. Britain's navy was opposed by many Catholics. Contrary to popular belief, Catholicism had been popular in England before the Reformation and many people still sympathized with what they called the ‘old religion’ <ref> Duffy, E. Stripping foundation of the Altars (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2000), p. 113</ref>future British Empire. Queen Elizabeth, I initially pursued As a moderate religious policy to minimize religious conflict between Catholic and Protestant. However, Elizabeth soon found herself under pressure from the great Catholic power result of the timefailed invasion, by Catholic Spain. It was the dominant Catholic power in Europe because of its vast territories in Europe and the Americas. The Spanish King Phillip II was an ardent Catholic and he had two ambitions, the first was to return the Protestants to the Catholic faith and to expand the power of Spain. The Spanish King had been married to Mary I of England became more self-consciously Protestant and it seemed that for a time that England would become part of the Spanish dominions. However, the coronation of Elizabeth I had changed all of this Catholicism became increasingly unpopular and she was determined on a policy of independence from Spain. Spain wanted to force the English back into the Catholic fold and to end the attacks of English pirates on their shipping and colonies in the Americas. Elizabeth, I had encouraged viewed as anti-English privateers, such as Sir Francis Drake to mount attacks on Spanish targets. Elizabeth sought to limit the power of Spain and to secure some of the riches ‘of the America colonies for her subjects’ <ref> Holmes, Richard. The Oxford Companion to Military History (Oxford, Oxford University Press. 2001), p. 214</ref>. The English Queen also supported saw the Dutch in their revolt against Phillip II. Relations between Spain and England began to deteriorate and by defeat of the mid-1580s the two countries were in Armada as an undeclared war, that was to last the rest act of Elizabeth’s reigndivine providence. Spain was the richest and the most powerful Empire in Europe and Phillip decided It confirmed to them that he would invade England, believing that if he was successful it would help him to secure many of his strategic objectives in Europe. The Spanish presented the Armada as a Catholic crusade and it was partially funded by the Papacykingdom destined for greatness.

====Why did Spain send the Spanish Armada to invade England?====[[File: Armada 3.jpg|200px150px|thumbthumbnail|left|King Phillip II of Spain-mortal enemy of Elizabeth I]]In the sixteenth century, Europe was divided into two mutually hostile religious groups. The Northern Europe was dominated by Protestants regimes and the south was mainly Catholic. England had become an increasing Protestant state by the mid-sixteenth century. Contrary to popular belief, Catholicism had been popular in England before the Reformation and many people still sympathized with what they called the ‘old religion.’<ref> Duffy, E. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0300108281/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0300108281&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=b06f0eb9358da3a5da4c6146421bcff6 Stripping of the Altars]</i> (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2000), p. 113</ref> Queen Elizabeth the First initially pursued a moderate religious policy to minimize religious conflict between Catholic and Protestant. However, Elizabeth soon found herself under pressure from Spain - the preeminent Catholic power in the world at that time. Spain's influence reach stretched across Europe and into the Americas.

==The Spanish Armada==The launch of the Armada King Phillip II was an ardent Catholic and he had been delayed several timestwo primary ambitions. First, including once because he wanted to return all Protestants back to the Catholic faith. Second, he hoped to to expand the growing power of a raid by the English on CadizSpain. The Spanish Armada was a fleet King had been married to Mary I of 130 ships England and it first left the port of Coruna in August 1588seemed that for a time that England would fall under Spanish influence. However, under the command coronation of the Duke of Medina SidoniaElizabeth I had fundamentally altered this dynamic because she was determined to maintain England's independence from Spain. Spain, on the most powerful noble in Spain<ref> Holmeshand, p. 215</ref>. The fleet was ordered to sail to wanted to force the English Channel and transport a large army in Flanders back into England. The aim of the invasion was to depose Elizabeth I and to reimpose Catholicism on Catholic fold and end the attacks of English people. The fleet was an impressive one pirates on their ships and colonies in the Spanish were experiencedAmericas.  Elizabeth, I had encouraged English privateers, sailors and navigatorssuch as Sir Francis Drake to mount attacks on Spanish targets. However, Elizabeth sought to limit the commander Medina-Sidonia was old power of Spain and relatively inexperienced and he was to commit mistake after mistakesecure some of the riches ‘of the America colonies for her subjects. The Spanish fleet despite its numerical advantage did not attack the English fleet based at Portsmouth and instead sailed to Calais’<ref> Holmes, Richard. The Spanish army under the Duke of Parma was advancing to Calais to be transported to England<i>[https://www.amazon. However, the English navy under Drake and Howard attacked the Armada with fireshipscom/gp/product/0198662092/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0198662092&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=94311aba3c2131eec83402c57e9f3338 The Oxford Companion to Military History]</i> (Oxford, and this was the start of what became known as the Battle of Grave linesOxford University Press. 2001), p. 214</ref> The English tactic of using fire-ships, created panic among Queen also supported the Spaniards Dutch in their revolt against Phillip II. Relations between Spain and England deteriorated rapidly and by the mid-1580s the fleet was broken up into small groups of shipstwo countries were in an undeclared war. The battle A war that was to last over a week with both sides launching attacksuntil the end of Elizabeth’s reign. However, Medina-Sidonia decided to withdraw and this Spain was decisive as it meant that the Spanish army was unable to rendezvous with richest and the invasion armymost powerful Empire in Europe and Phillip decided that he would invade England. Drake and the other English commanders were happy He believed that if he was successful it would help him to let secure many of his strategic objectives in Europe. The Spanish presented the Armada sail away from the invasion force. Then as a strong wind from the southwest forced the fleet to sail to the north Catholic crusade and into it was partially funded by the North SeaPapacy. Medina-Sidonia could regroup his ships and decided to withdraw to Spain and the attempt to invade  ====How did England was over. Now defeat the Spanish Armada sought only to survive and return to Spain?====[[File: Armada 4. jpg|350px|thumbnail|left| A contemporary painting of the Armada]]The inclement weather and a strong south-western meant that launch of the Armada had been delayed several times, including once because of a raid by the English on Cadiz. The Spanish could not return via the English Channel and this wind became known in England as Armada was a ‘Protestant Wind’ <ref>McDermott, James. England fleet of 130 ships and it first left the Spanish Armada: The Necessary Quarrel. New Havenport of Coruna in August 1588, CT: Yale University Pressunder the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia, 2005)the most powerful noble in Spain.<ref> Holmes, Pp. 215</ref>. The Spanish Command, which could not communicate with Madrid decided fleet was ordered to sail to round the British IslesEnglish Channel and transport a large army in Flanders into England. The Armada sailed around Scotland but all aim of the while invasion was harried by to depose Elizabeth I and to reimpose Catholicism on the English fleetpeople. The weather fleet was very unseasonable for that time of years an impressive and the fleet of Phillip II was battered by gales Spanish were experienced, sailors and stormsnavigators. As However, the Armada made their way around Scotland commander Medina-Sidonia was old and relatively inexperienced and he committed mistake after mistake throughout the suffered many lossescampaign. Many more ships were wrecked on  The Spanish fleet despite its numerical advantage did not attack the west coast of Ireland English fleet based at Portsmouth and the survivors were hunted down and killed by natives loyal instead sailed to Calais. The Spanish army under the Duke of Parma was advancing to Calais to be transported to England. However, the English crown <ref>T. P. Kilfeather Ireland: Graveyard of navy under Drake and Howard attacked the Spanish Armada (Anvil Bookswith fireships, 1967), p. 167</ref>and this was the start of what became known as the Battle of Grave lines. By the time that the remnants The English tactic of the Spanish invasion using fire-ships, created panic among the Spaniards and the fleet made it to Spain over two-thirds was broken up into small groups of the original Armada had been lostships. The battle lasted over a week with both sides launching attacks. However, Medina-Sidonia decided to withdraw. The undeclared Anglo-Spanish War did not end with This decision was decisive as it meant that the defeat of the Armada but Spanish army was unable to continue until 1604 rendezvous with the invasion army. Drake and ended in a stalemate. ==England’s salvation==The Spanish the other English commanders were happy to let the Armada is one of sail away from the great ‘ifs’ in historyinvasion force. If Then a strong wind from the southwest forced the Spanish ships had been able fleet to sail to rendezvous with the army of Flanders north and transported it across into the Channel, then it is quite likely that England would have been defeatedNorth Sea. The Spanish army  ====How was considered to be the best in Europe at this time Spanish Armada destroyed?====Medina-Sidonia tried to regroup his ships and it withdraw to Spain. This ended Spain's attempt to invade England was composed over, but it did not end the Armada's problems. At this point, the Armada sought only of Spanish veterans but also German veteransto survive and return to Spain. The English army was mainly composed of local militias Unfortunately, inclement weather and was poorly led and trained. In a set piece battle, on land, it seems likely that strong south-western wind meant that the Spanish would have overcome could not return via the English and deposed Elizabeth IChannel. The kingdom of This wind later became known in England would have become part of the Spanish Empireas a ‘Protestant Wind.’<ref>McDermott, James. Phillip II did not plan to rule it directly but planned to place a Catholic on the throne <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/030010698X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=030010698X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=f473dc1cecf6852131ce8bd6e86de229 England and they would have been the ally and dependent of the SpanishSpanish Armada: The Necessary Quarrel]</i>. The defeat of the Armada prevented this from happening and it secured the independence of England and allowed her to become a world power by the eighteenth century(New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2005), P. 215</ref> Holmes  The Spanish Command, which could not communicate with Madrid, pdecided to round the British Isles. 257</ref>. ==The Armada and Religion==Phillip II wanted sailed around Scotland but the English navy continued to return England to Catholicismharry the Spanish fleet. If the Armada had been successful then it seems likely that a Catholic king or queen would have been placed on The weather was very unseasonable for that time of year and the throne. They would have had Phillip's fleet was battered by strong gales and massive storms. As the power Armada made their way around Scotland they began to overturn the Protestant establishment in the countrylose ships. No longer would Many more ships were wrecked on the Church west coast of England be Ireland and the state church survivors were hunted down and once again killed by natives loyal to the Catholic Church would have been the only recognized religion in the realmEnglish crown.<ref>T. P. Kilfeather. Phillip II believed that it was right for a monarch to ensure religious conformity in their kingdom<i>[https://www.amazon. It seems most likely that the new Catholic monarch would have persecuted Protestants in much com/gp/product/B0013K2KD6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0013K2KD6&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=a486270d446af7bb1840eb37dd11d649 Ireland: Graveyard of the same way as Mary I had during her reignSpanish Armada]</i> (Anvil Books, 1967), p. 167</ref> Now while Catholicism would have been made By the state religion this would not have seen time that the end remnants of Protestantism in Englandthe Spanish invasion fleet made it to Spain over two-thirds of the original Armada was lost. By While the 1580s defeat of the Church of England was supported by most English people and they Spanish Aramada did not end the undeclared Anglo-Spanish War which would have resisted any attempt continue until 1604, it made if difficult for Spain to to reimpose the Catholic faith. It seems likely that England would have suffered a series of Religious Wars similar to France in get the sixteenth centuryupper hand. HoweverEventually, the failure conflict ended in a stalemate. ====Could Spain have taken England if had successfully landed its invasion force?====The Spanish Armada is one of the Armada meant that great ‘ifs’ in history. If the Spanish ships had been able to rendezvous with the Church army of Flanders and transport it across the Channel, then England was now more secure than ever beforemay have been defeated. Increasingly, The Spanish army was considered to be the English people began to see themselves as a Protestant people. They saw Protestantism as an integral part best in Europe at this time and it was composed not only of Englishness and important for their freedomSpanish but German veterans. Many The English people became even more anti-Catholic after the Armada. ‘Popery’ as they referred to Catholicism army was associated with autocracy, intolerance, mainly composed of local militias and slaverywas poorly led and trained. This anti-Catholicism was an important aspect of English political life for many years <ref>BridgenIn a set piece battle, Susanon land, the Spanish forces would most likely have been victorious and deposed Elizabeth I. New Worlds, Lost Worlds: The Rule kingdom of England would have become part of the Tudors, 1485–1603Spanish Empire. New York, NY: Viking Penguin, 2001), p. 115</ref> It is arguable Phillip II did not plan to rule it directly but planned to place a Catholic on the throne. Philip wanted an ally that the main losers in would become dependent on Spain. The defeat of the Armada apart prevented this from all those who died in happening and secured the conflict were English Catholicsindependence of England. After England's victory allowed her to become a major world power by the Armada, Catholics known as ‘recusants’ because they refused to recognize the Church of England came under official and unofficial pressure to conform to the state religion<ref> Bridgeneighteenth century.<ref> Holmes, p. 234257</ref>. Even loyal  <dh-ad/> ====What impact did the defeat of the Spanish Armada have on Catholics became suspect and as a result, more and Catholics converted in England?====Phillip II wanted to return England to ProtestantismCatholicism. By If the end of the reign of Elizabeth, England was Armada had been successful then it seems likely that a Protestant nation, with only a small and oppressed Catholic minorityking or queen would have been placed on the throne. The Armada They would have had played an important role in this process. Phillip II had attempted the power to overturn the religious settlement Protestant establishment in the country. No longer would the Church of England but his attempted invasion be the state church and once again the Catholic Church would have been the only strengthened recognized religion. Phillip II believed that it. The people of England began was right for a monarch to see themselves ensure religious conformity in providential terms and in biblical terms as an ‘elect nation’ <ref> Krishan Kumartheir kingdom. The making of English national identity (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2003), pnew Catholic monarch probably would have persecuted Protestants in much the same way as Mary I had during her reign. 45</ref>With Catholicism reestablished this could have hobbled Protestantism in England. They believed that they were chosen by God to carry out his will and this gave them a new-found confidence. This sense  By the 1580s, the Church of mission England was one that was very important in later decades supported by most English people and was an important factor in they would have resisted any attempt to reimpose the growth of English power, especially in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuryCatholic faith. [[File: Armada 2 Still it is likely that England would have suffered a series of Religious Wars similar to France in the sixteenth century.jpg|200px|thumb|left|English fireships attacking Spanish vessels at However, the Battle failure of Grevellines]]==England as a naval power==It has often been stated the Armada meant that the defeat Church of the Armada ended the Spanish superiority at sea and England was now more secure than ever before. Increasingly, the beginning of England’s rise English people began to see themselves as a global naval powerProtestant people. This was not the caseThey saw Protestantism as an integral part of Englishness and important for their freedom. The year following the defeat of the Spanish Armada the Many English monarch launched people became even more anti-Catholic after the ‘English Armada’ <ref>Bridgen, pArmada. 135</ref>. This ‘Popery’ as they referred to Catholicism was a naval attack on Spain but it was heavily defeated associated with great English lossesautocracy, intolerance, and slavery. Madrid changed its strategy and a series This anti-Catholicism was an important aspect of fortifications were built in the Americas that gave greater protection against English and other privateerspolitical life for many years. The fact remains that Spain after the defeat of the Armada remained the premier maritime power outside China<ref>Bridgen, Susan. However, the defeat of the Armada did lead to long<i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0142001252/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0142001252&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-term changes that were to prove very important in 20&linkId=128a402be47987e0bd3742b14adafb3d New Worlds, Lost Worlds: The Rule of the rise of England as a naval powerTudors, 1485–1603]</i>. There was a recognitionNew York, after the attempted Spanish invasion that NY: Viking Penguin, 2001), p. 115</ref>  On the hand, English needed a strong navy and successive English administrations pursued policies that helped Catholics faced an increasingly difficult life in England after the Armada's destruction. Catholics, known as ‘recusants,’ refused to expand recognize the navy and develop new technologies and ‘modern shipyards’ Church of England. They came under official and unofficial pressure to conform to the state religion and give up their faith.<ref>HolmesBridgen, p. 217234</ref>. As Even loyal English Catholics became suspect and as a result, in more and Catholics converted to Protestantism. By the wake end of the Armadareign of Elizabeth, the kingdom became an important naval powerEngland was a Protestant nation, with only a small oppressed Catholic minority. If the Spanish The Armada had been a success then it seems likely that played an important role in this process. Phillip II had attempted to overturn the English would not have been able to successfully plant colonies religious settlement in North AmericaEngland but his attempted invasion only strengthened it. In the early seventeenth century, English colonies were found at Plymouth Rock and Jamestown. If the Spanish had placed one of their candidates on the throne The people of England then this may never have occurredbegan to see themselves in providential terms and in biblical terms as an ‘elect nation. The defeat of the Armada saw England emerge as, if not a dominant naval power but an important one, that had the means to establish colonies and to trading companies such as the East India Company<’ <ref>Krishan Kumar. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521777364/ref>Holmes, p. 256<=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0521777364&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=40a0da3a27c0edae7a7be1c813dd2ca4 The Making of English national identity]</i> (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2003), p. 45</ref>. Its naval capability was in the long-term The English began to directly believe that they were chosen by God to lead carry out his will. This sense of mission was one that was very important in later decades and was an important factor in the growth of English power, especially in the seventeenth and eighteenth century. ====Did the defeat of the Spanish Armada turn England into a naval power?====<div class="portal" style='float:right; width:35%'> ====Related DailyHistory.org Articles====*[[What was the impact of the German Peasant War (1524-1527) on the Reformation?]]*[[Top 10 Books on the origins of the Italian Renaissance]]*[[How did the Renaissance influence the Reformation?]]*[[What were the causes of the Northern Renaissance?]]*[[Why did the Reformation fail in Renaissance Italy?]]</div>[[File: Armada One.jpg|250px|thumbnail|left|Sir Francis Drake]]It has often been stated that the defeat of the Armada ended the Spanish superiority at sea and begun England’s rise as a global naval power. This was not the case. The year following the defeat of the Spanish Armada the English monarch launched the ‘English Armada.’<ref>Bridgen, p. 135</ref> This was a naval attack on Spain, but it was heavily defeated with substantial English losses. Madrid changed its strategy and a series of fortifications were built in the Americas that gave greater protection against English and other privateers. Spain, after the defeat of the Armada, remained the premier maritime power outside China. However, the defeat of the Armada did lead to the growth and development of the British Empire. [[File: Armada One.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Sir Francis Drake]]long-term changes that proved to be very important in the rise of England as a naval power. There was a recognition, after the attempted Spanish invasion that the English needed a strong navy and successive English administrations pursued policies that helped to expand the navy. England focused on developing new technologies and building ‘modern shipyards.’ <ref>Holmes, p. 217</ref> These changes laid the groundwork for England naval power.  Additionally, if the Spanish Armada had been a success it is highly unlikely that England would have been able to successfully plant colonies in North America. In the early seventeenth century, English colonies were founded at Plymouth Rock and Jamestown. If the Spanish had placed one of their candidates on the throne of England then this may never have occurred. The defeat of the Armada saw England emerge as, if not a dominant naval power but an important one, and the principal colonizer of North America. Additionally, English trading companies such as the East India Company expanded across the globe.<ref>Holmes, p. 256</ref> England's naval capability directly lead to the growth and development of the British Empire. ====Conclusion==Conclusion==

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