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[[File: Armada 2.jpg|390px|thumbnail|left|English fireships attacking Spanish vessels at the Battle of Grevellines]]
==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 groupsEngland become a serious European naval power. The North of Europe Britain's navy was dominated by Protestantism and the south was mainly Catholicfoundation of the future British Empire. England had become As a Protestant realm by result of the mid-sixteenth centuryfailed invasion, but this was opposed by many Catholics. Contrary to popular belief, Catholic Spain, England became more self-consciously Protestant and Catholicism had been popular in England before the Reformation became increasingly unpopular and many people still sympathized with what they called was viewed as anti-English. The English also saw the ‘old religion’ <ref> Duffy, E. Stripping defeat of the Altars (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2000), pArmada as an act of divine providence. 113</re>. Queen Elizabeth, I initially pursued It confirmed to them that England was a moderate religious policy to minimize religious conflict between Catholic and Protestantkingdom destined for greatness. However, Elizabeth soon found herself under pressure from the great Catholic power of the time, ====Why did Spain. It was send the dominant Catholic power in Europe because of its vast territories in Europe and the Americas. The Spanish Armada to invade England?====[[File: Armada 3.jpg|150px|thumbnail|left|King Phillip II was an ardent Catholic and he had of Spain-mortal enemy of Elizabeth I]]In the sixteenth century, Europe was divided into two ambitions, the first mutually hostile religious groups. The Northern Europe was to return the dominated by Protestants to regimes and the south was mainly Catholic faith and to expand . England had become an increasing Protestant state by the power of Spainmid-sixteenth century. The Spanish King Contrary to popular belief, Catholicism had been married to Mary I of popular in England before the Reformation and it seemed that for a time that England would become part of many people still sympathized with what they called the Spanish dominions‘old religion. However, the coronation of Elizabeth I had changed all of this and she was determined on a policy of independence from Spain’<ref> Duffy, E. <i>[https://www.amazon. Spain wanted to force 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 English back into the Catholic fold and to end the attacks of English pirates on their shipping and colonies in the Americas. ElizabethAltars]</i> (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, I had encouraged English privateers2000), such as Sir Francis Drake to mount attacks on Spanish targets. p. 113</ref> Queen Elizabeth sought to limit the power of Spain and First initially pursued a moderate religious policy to secure some of the riches ‘of the America colonies for her subjects’ <ref> Holmes, Richardminimize religious conflict between Catholic and Protestant. The Oxford Companion to Military History (OxfordHowever, Oxford University Press. 2001), p. 214</ref>. The English Queen also supported Elizabeth soon found herself under pressure from Spain - the Dutch preeminent Catholic power in their revolt against Phillip IIthe world at that time. Relations between Spain 's influence reach stretched across Europe and England began to deteriorate and by into the mid-1580s the two countries were in Americas. The Spanish King Phillip II was an undeclared war, that was ardent Catholic and he had two primary ambitions. First, he wanted to return all Protestants back to the Catholic faith. Second, he hoped to last to expand the rest growing power of Elizabeth’s reignSpain. Spain was the richest and the most powerful Empire in Europe The Spanish King had been married to Mary I of England and Phillip decided it seemed that for a time that he would invade England, believing it would help him fall under Spanish influence. However, the coronation of Elizabeth I had fundamentally altered this dynamic because she was determined to secure many of his strategic objectivesmaintain England's independence from Spain. The Spanish presented Spain, on the hand, wanted to force the English back into the Armada as a Catholic crusade fold and end the attacks of English pirates on their ships and it was partially funded by colonies in the PapacyAmericas.Armada 3.jpg[[File: Armada 3Elizabeth, I had encouraged English privateers, such as Sir Francis Drake to mount attacks on Spanish targets.jpg|200px|thumb|left|King Phillip II of Elizabeth sought to limit the power of Spain-mortal enemy of Elizabeth I]]==The Spanish Armada==The launch and to secure some of the Armada had been delayed several timesriches ‘of the America colonies for her subjects.’<ref> Holmes, including once because of a raid by the English on CadizRichard. The Spanish Armada was a fleet of 130 ships and it first left the port of Coruna in August 1588, under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia, the most powerful noble in Spain<refi> Holmes, p[https://www.amazon. 215<com/gp/product/0198662092/ref>. =as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0198662092&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=94311aba3c2131eec83402c57e9f3338 The fleet was ordered Oxford Companion to sail to the English Channel and transport a large army in Flanders into EnglandMilitary History]</i> (Oxford, Oxford University Press. 2001), p. 214</ref> The aim of English Queen also supported the invasion was to depose Elizabeth I Dutch in their revolt against Phillip II. Relations between Spain and to reimpose Catholicism on the English people. The fleet was an impressive one England deteriorated rapidly and by the Spanish mid-1580s the two countries were experienced, sailors and navigatorsin an undeclared war. However, the commander Medina-Sidonia was old and relatively inexperienced and he A war that was to commit mistake after mistakelast until the end of Elizabeth’s reign. The Spanish fleet despite its numerical advantage did not attack Spain was the English fleet based at Portsmouth richest and instead sailed to Calaisthe most powerful Empire in Europe and Phillip decided that he would invade England. The Spanish army under the Duke of Parma He believed that if he was advancing successful it would help him to Calais to be transported to Englandsecure many of his strategic objectives in Europe. However, the English navy under Drake and Howard attacked The Spanish presented the Armada with fireships, as a Catholic crusade and this it was partially funded by the start of what became known as the Battle of Grave linesPapacy. The English tactic of using fire-ships, created panic among ====How did England defeat the Spanish Armada?====[[File: Armada 4.jpg|350px|thumbnail|left| A contemporary painting of the Spaniards and Armada]]The launch of the fleet was broken up into small groups Armada had been delayed several times, including once because of shipsa raid by the English on Cadiz. The battle Spanish Armada was to last over a week with both sides launching attacks. However, Medina-Sidonia decided to withdraw fleet of 130 ships and this was decisive as it meant that first left the port of Coruna in August 1588, under the Spanish army command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia, the most powerful noble in Spain.<ref> Holmes, p. 215</ref> The fleet was unable ordered to sail to rendezvous with the invasion English Channel and transport a large armyin Flanders into England. Drake The aim of the invasion was to depose Elizabeth I and to reimpose Catholicism on the other English commanders were happy to let the Armada sail away from the invasion force. Then a strong wind from the southwest forced the people. The fleet to sail to was an impressive and the north Spanish were experienced, sailors and into navigators. However, the North Sea. commander Medina-Sidonia could regroup his ships was old and decided to withdraw to Spain relatively inexperienced and he committed mistake after mistake throughout the attempt to invade England was over. Now the Armada sought only to survive and return to Spaincampaign. The inclement weather and a strong south-western meant that the Spanish could fleet despite its numerical advantage did not return via attack the English Channel fleet based at Portsmouth and this wind became known in England as a ‘Protestant Wind’ <ref>McDermott, Jamesinstead sailed to Calais. England and The Spanish army under the Spanish Armada: The Necessary QuarrelDuke of Parma was advancing to Calais to be transported to England. New HavenHowever, CT: Yale University Pressthe English navy under Drake and Howard attacked the Armada with fireships, 2005), P. 215</ref>and this was the start of what became known as the Battle of Grave lines. The Spanish CommandEnglish tactic of using fire-ships, which could not communicate with Madrid decided to round created panic among the British Isles. The Armada sailed around Scotland but all Spaniards and the while was harried by the English fleet. The weather was very unseasonable for that time broken up into small groups of years and the fleet of Phillip II was battered by gales and stormsships. As the Armada made their way around Scotland the suffered many losses The battle lasted over a week with both sides launching attacks. However, Medina-Sidonia decided to withdraw. Many more ships were wrecked on This decision was decisive as it meant that the west coast of Ireland Spanish army was unable to rendezvous with the invasion army. Drake and the survivors other English commanders were hunted down and killed by natives loyal happy to let the English crown <ref>TArmada sail away from the invasion force. P. Kilfeather Ireland: Graveyard of Then a strong wind from the southwest forced the Spanish Armada (Anvil Books, 1967), p. 167</ref>. By fleet to sail to the time that north and into the remnants of North Sea. ====How was the Spanish invasion fleet made it Armada destroyed?====Medina-Sidonia tried to regroup his ships and withdraw to Spain . This ended Spain's attempt to invade England was over two-thirds of , but it did not end the original Armada had been lost's problems. The undeclared Anglo-Spanish War did not end with the defeat of At this point, the Armada but was sought only to continue until 1604 survive and return to Spain. Unfortunately, inclement weather and ended in a stalemate. ==England’s salvation==The strong south-western wind meant that the Spanish Armada is one of could not return via the great ‘ifs’ English Channel. This wind later became known in historyEngland as a ‘Protestant Wind.’<ref>McDermott, James. If the Spanish ships had been able to rendezvous with the army of Flanders <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 transported it across the Channel, then it is quite likely that England would have been defeatedSpanish Armada: The Necessary Quarrel]</i>. The Spanish army was considered to be the best in Europe at this time and it was composed not only of Spanish veterans but also German veterans(New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2005), P. 215</ref> The English army was mainly composed of local militias and was poorly led and trained. In a set piece battleSpanish Command, which could not communicate with Madrid, on land, it seems likely that decided to round the Spanish would have overcome British Isles. The Armada sailed around Scotland but the English and deposed Elizabeth Inavy continued to harry the Spanish fleet. The kingdom of England would have become part weather was very unseasonable for that time of year and the Spanish EmpirePhillip's fleet was battered by strong gales and massive storms. Phillip II did not plan to rule it directly but planned to place a Catholic on As the throne and Armada made their way around Scotland they would have been began to lose ships. Many more ships were wrecked on the ally west coast of Ireland and dependent of the Spanish. The defeat of the Armada prevented this from happening and it secured the independence of England and allowed her survivors were hunted down and killed by natives loyal to become a world power by the eighteenth centuryEnglish crown.<ref> Holmes, pT. P. Kilfeather. 257<i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013K2KD6/ref>. =as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=The Armada and ReligionB0013K2KD6&linkCode=as2&tag=Phillip II wanted to return England to Catholicism. If dailyh0c-20&linkId=a486270d446af7bb1840eb37dd11d649 Ireland: Graveyard of the Spanish Armada had been successful then it seems likely that a Catholic king or queen would have been placed on ]</i> (Anvil Books, 1967), p. 167</ref> By the throne. They would have had time that the power to overturn remnants of the Protestant establishment in Spanish invasion fleet made it to Spain over two-thirds of the countryoriginal Armada was lost. No longer would While the Church defeat of England be the state church and once again Spanish Aramada did not end the Catholic Church undeclared Anglo-Spanish War which would have been continue until 1604, it made if difficult for Spain to to get the upper hand. Eventually, the only recognized religion conflict ended in the realm. Phillip II believed that it was right for a monarch to ensure religious conformity in their kingdomstalemate. It seems most likely that the new Catholic monarch would ====Could Spain have persecuted Protestants in much taken England if had successfully landed its invasion force?====The Spanish Armada is one of the same way as Mary I had during her reigngreat ‘ifs’ in history. Now while Catholicism would have been made If the state religion this would not have seen Spanish ships had been able to rendezvous with the end army of Protestantism in Flanders and transport it across the Channel, then Englandmay have been defeated. By the 1580s the Church of England The Spanish army was supported by most English people and they would have resisted any attempt considered to reimpose be the Catholic faithbest in Europe at this time and it was composed not only of Spanish but German veterans. It seems likely that England would have suffered a series The English army was mainly composed of Religious Wars similar to France in the sixteenth centurylocal militias and was poorly led and trained. HoweverIn a set piece battle, on land, the failure Spanish forces would most likely have been victorious and deposed Elizabeth I. The kingdom of England would have become part of the Armada meant that the Church of England was now more secure than ever beforeSpanish Empire. Increasingly, the English people began Phillip II did not plan to see themselves as a Protestant peoplerule it directly but planned to place a Catholic on the throne. They saw Protestantism as Philip wanted an integral part ally that would become dependent on Spain. The defeat of Englishness and important for their freedom. Many English people became even more anti-Catholic after the ArmadaArmada prevented this from happening and secured the independence of England. ‘Popery’ as they referred England's victory allowed her to Catholicism was associated with autocracy, intolerance, and slaverybecome a major world power by the eighteenth century. This anti-Catholicism was an important aspect of English political life for many years <ref>Bridgen, Susan. New Worlds, Lost Worlds: The Rule of the Tudors, 1485–1603. New York, NY: Viking Penguin, 2001)Holmes, p. 115257</ref> It is arguable that <dh-ad/> ====What impact did the main losers in defeat of the Spanish Armada apart from all those who died have on Catholics in the conflict were English Catholics. After the Armada, Catholics known as ‘recusants’ because they refused England?====Phillip II wanted to recognize the Church of return England came under official and unofficial pressure to conform to Catholicism. If the state religion<ref> Bridgen, pArmada had been successful then it seems likely that a Catholic king or queen would have been placed on the throne. 234</ref>. Even loyal Catholics became suspect and as a result, more and Catholics converted They would have had the power to Protestantismoverturn the Protestant establishment in the country. By No longer would the end Church of England be the reign of Elizabeth, England was a Protestant nation, with only a small state church and oppressed once again the Catholic minorityChurch would have been the only recognized religion. The Armada had played an important role in this process. Phillip II had attempted Phillip II believed that it was right for a monarch to overturn the ensure religious settlement conformity in England but his attempted invasion only strengthened ittheir kingdom. The people of England began to see themselves new Catholic monarch probably would have persecuted Protestants in providential terms and in biblical terms much the same way as an ‘elect nation’ <ref> Krishan KumarMary I had during her reign. With Catholicism reestablished this could have hobbled Protestantism in England. The making By the 1580s, the Church of England was supported by most English national identity (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2003), ppeople and they would have resisted any attempt to reimpose the Catholic faith. 45</ref>. They believed Still it is likely that they were chosen by God to carry out his will and this gave them England would have suffered a new-found confidence. This sense series of mission was one that was very important in later decades and was an important factor Religious Wars similar to France in the growth sixteenth century. However, the failure of English power, especially in the seventeenth and eighteenth century. [[File: Armada 2.jpg|200px|thumb|left|meant that the Church of England was now more secure than ever before. Increasingly, the English fireships attacking Spanish vessels at the Battle of Grevellines]]==England people began to see themselves as a naval power==It has often been stated that the defeat Protestant people. They saw Protestantism as an integral part of the Armada ended the Spanish superiority at sea Englishness and was the beginning of England’s rise as a global naval powerimportant for their freedom. This was not Many English people became even more anti-Catholic after the caseArmada. The year following the defeat of the Spanish Armada the English monarch launched the ‘English Armada’ <ref>Bridgen‘Popery’ as they referred to Catholicism was associated with autocracy, intolerance, p. 135</ref>and slavery. This anti-Catholicism was a naval attack on Spain but it was heavily defeated with great an important aspect of English lossespolitical life for many years. Madrid changed its strategy and a series of fortifications were built in the Americas that gave greater protection against English and other privateers<ref>Bridgen, Susan. <i>[https://www. The fact remains that Spain after the defeat of the Armada remained the premier maritime power outside Chinaamazon. Howevercom/gp/product/0142001252/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0142001252&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=128a402be47987e0bd3742b14adafb3d New Worlds, the defeat Lost Worlds: The Rule of the Armada did lead to long-term changes that were to prove very important in the rise of England as a naval powerTudors, 1485–1603]</i>. There was a recognition, after the attempted Spanish invasion that New York, 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 Church of England. They came under official and develop new technologies unofficial pressure to conform to the state religion and ‘modern shipyards’ give up their faith.<ref>HolmesBridgen, p. 217234</ref>. As Even loyal English Catholics became suspect and as a result, in the wake of more and Catholics converted to Protestantism. By the end of the reign of Elizabeth, England was a Protestant nation, with only a small oppressed Catholic minority. The Armada, the kingdom became had played an important naval powerrole in this process. If the Spanish Armada Phillip II had been a success then it seems likely that 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 The people of England began to see themselves in providential terms and Jamestownin biblical terms as an ‘elect nation. If the Spanish had placed one of their candidates on the throne of England then this may never have occurred’ <ref>Krishan Kumar. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521777364/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0521777364&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=40a0da3a27c0edae7a7be1c813dd2ca4 The defeat Making of the Armada saw England emerge asEnglish national identity]</i> (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, if not a dominant naval power but an important one2003), p. 45</ref> The English began to believe that had the means they were chosen by God to establish colonies carry out his will. This sense of mission was one that was very important in later decades and to trading companies such as was an important factor in the East India Company<ref>Holmesgrowth of English power, p. 256</ref>. Its naval capability was especially in the long-term to directly to lead to the growth seventeenth and development of the British Empireeighteenth century. [[File: Armada One.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Sir Francis Drake]]==Conclusion==The Did the defeat of the Spanish Armada was turn England into a major turning point in English historynaval power?====<div class="portal" style='float:right; width:35%'> ====Related DailyHistory. It saved org Articles====*[[What was the throne impact of Elizabeth I and guaranteed English independence from Spain. The Spanish saw the invasion as a crusade and one that would stamp out German Peasant War (1524-1527) on the heresy of Protestantism in England. The failure of the invasion meant that Protestantism became more entrenched and less sympathetic to Catholicism. Indeed, in Reformation?]]*[[Top 10 Books on the aftermath origins of the Armada, Protestantism became part Italian Renaissance]]*[[How did the Renaissance influence the Reformation?]]*[[What were the causes of the national identity. To be English was to be a Protestant and to reject CatholicismNorthern Renaissance?]]*[[Why did the Reformation fail in Renaissance Italy?]]</div>[[File: Armada One. The attempted Spanish invasion led to adoption jpg|250px|thumbnail|left|Sir Francis Drake]]It has often been stated that the defeat of an anti-Catholic discourse, known the Armada ended the Spanish superiority at sea and begun England’s rise as Popery and this a global naval power. This was an important factor in English political life for over two centuriesnot the case. The year following the defeat of the Spanish Armada did not end Spanish maritime supremacy but it did lead to England becoming the English monarch launched the ‘English Armada.’<ref>Bridgen, p. 135</ref> This was a naval power. This allowed it to found colonies attack on Spain, but it was heavily defeated with substantial English losses. Madrid changed its strategy and trading companies a series of fortifications were built in the early seventeenth century Americas that were to lay gave greater protection against English and other privateers. Spain, after the defeat of the foundation for Armada, remained the British Empirepremier maritime power outside China.However, the defeat of the Armada did lead to 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====The defeat of the Armada was a major turning point in English history. It saved the throne of Elizabeth I and guaranteed English independence from Spain. The Spanish saw the invasion as a crusade and one that would stamp out the heresy of Protestantism in England. The failure of the invasion meant that Protestantism became more entrenched and less sympathetic to Catholicism. Indeed, in the aftermath of the Armada, Protestantism became part of the national identity. To be English was to be a Protestant and to reject Catholicism. The attempted Spanish invasion led to the adoption of an anti-Catholic discourse, known as Popery and this was an important factor in English political life for over two centuries. The Armada did not end Spanish maritime supremacy but it did lead to England becoming a formidable naval power. This allowed it to found colonies and trading companies in the early seventeenth century that were to lay the foundation for the British Empire.{{Mediawiki:AmNative}}====References====<references/> [[Category:British History]][[Category:16th Century History]][[Category:European History]][[Category:16th Century History]][[Category:Religious History]][[Category:Wikis]][[Category:English History]][[Category:History of Elizabethan Age]]{{Contributors}}