Changes

[[File: Armada 32.jpg|150px390px|thumbnail|left|King Phillip II English fireships attacking Spanish vessels at the Battle of Spain-mortal enemy of Elizabeth IGrevellines]]The defeat and destruction of the Spanish Armada (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 profound consequences for England. The first consequence of the English victory was that it secured the independence of that kingdom.

The defeat and destruction of the Spanish Armada led to England becoming a naval power and this was to prove important in 1588 is seen by many as the foundation high point of Elizabeth I’s of the future British EmpireEngland’s reign. As a result of If the failed invasionArmada had been successful, by Catholic Spain, England became more self-consciously Protestant it could have changed the course of English and, Catholicism became very unpopular and seen as anti-Englishworld history. The defeat of the Armada was an act had profound consequences for England. The first consequence of divine providence and it confirmed the opinion of many English victory was that England was a kingdom destined for greatness and this was to play a very important role in English national identity for many centuriesit secured its independence.

===Background===In the sixteenth century, Europe The Spanish King Phillip II was divided into an ardent Catholic and he had two mutually hostile religious groupsprimary ambitions. The North of Europe was dominated by Protestantism and First, he wanted to return all Protestants back to the south was mainly Catholicfaith. England had become a Protestant realm by Second, he hoped to to expand the mid-sixteenth century, but this was opposed by many Catholicsgrowing power of Spain. Contrary to popular belief, Catholicism The Spanish King had been popular in married to Mary I of England before the Reformation and many people still sympathized with what they called the ‘old religionit seemed that for a time that England would fall under Spanish influence.’<ref> DuffyHowever, E. <i>Stripping the coronation of the Altars</i> (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2000), p. 113</ref> Queen Elizabeth, I initially pursued a moderate religious policy had fundamentally altered this dynamic because she was determined to minimize religious conflict between Catholic and Protestantmaintain England's independence from Spain. HoweverSpain, Elizabeth soon found herself under pressure from on the great Catholic power of hand, wanted to force the time, Spain. It was English back into the dominant Catholic power in Europe because fold and end the attacks of its vast territories English pirates on their ships and colonies in Europe and the Americas.

The Spanish King Phillip II was an ardent Catholic and he Elizabeth, I had two ambitionsencouraged English privateers, the first was such as Sir Francis Drake to return the Protestants mount attacks on Spanish targets. Elizabeth sought to limit the Catholic faith power of Spain and to expand secure some of the power of Spainriches ‘of the America colonies for her subjects.’<ref> Holmes, Richard. <i>[https://www.amazon. com/gp/product/0198662092/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0198662092&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=94311aba3c2131eec83402c57e9f3338 The Spanish King had been married Oxford Companion to Mary I of Military History]</i> (Oxford, Oxford University Press. 2001), p. 214</ref> The English Queen also supported the Dutch in their revolt against Phillip II. Relations between Spain and England deteriorated rapidly and it seemed that for a time that England would become part of by the mid-1580s the Spanish dominionstwo countries were in an undeclared war. However, A war that was to last until the coronation of Elizabeth I had changed all end of this and she was determined on a policy of independence from SpainElizabeth’s reign. Spain wanted to force was the English back into richest and the Catholic fold most powerful Empire in Europe and Phillip decided that he would invade England. He believed that if he was successful it would help him to end secure many of his strategic objectives in Europe. The Spanish presented the attacks of English pirates on their shipping Armada as a Catholic crusade and colonies in it was partially funded by the AmericasPapacy.

Elizabeth====How did England defeat the Spanish Armada?====[[File: Armada 4.jpg|350px|thumbnail|left| A contemporary painting of the Armada]]The launch of the Armada had been delayed several times, I had encouraged including once because of a raid by the English privateers, such as Sir Francis Drake to mount attacks on Cadiz. The Spanish targets. Elizabeth sought to limit Armada was a fleet of 130 ships and it first left the power port of Spain and to secure some Coruna in August 1588, under the command of the riches ‘of Duke of Medina Sidonia, the America colonies for her subjectsmost powerful noble in Spain.’<ref> Holmes, Richard. <i>The Oxford Companion to Military History</i> (Oxford, Oxford University Press. 2001), p. 214215</ref> The fleet was ordered to sail to the English Queen also supported the Dutch Channel and transport a large army in their revolt against Phillip IIFlanders into England. Relations between Spain and England began The aim of the invasion was to deteriorate depose Elizabeth I and by the mid-1580s the two countries were in an undeclared war, that was to last reimpose Catholicism on the rest of Elizabeth’s reignEnglish people. Spain The fleet was the richest an impressive and the most powerful Empire in Europe Spanish were experienced, sailors and Phillip decided that he would invade Englandnavigators. However, believing that if he the commander Medina-Sidonia was successful it would help him to secure many of his strategic objectives in Europe. The Spanish presented the Armada as a Catholic crusade old and relatively inexperienced and it was partially funded by he committed mistake after mistake throughout the Papacycampaign.

===The Spanish Armada=== [[File: Armada 4.jpg|350px|thumbnail|left| A contemporary painting of the Armada]]The launch of the Armada had been delayed several times, including once because of a raid by fleet despite its numerical advantage did not attack the English on Cadizfleet based at Portsmouth and instead sailed to Calais. The Spanish Armada was a fleet of 130 ships and it first left the port of Coruna in August 1588, army under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia, the most powerful noble in Spain.<ref> Holmes, p. 215</ref> The fleet Parma was ordered advancing to Calais to sail be transported to England. However, the English Channel navy under Drake and Howard attacked the Armada with fireships, and transport a large army in Flanders into Englandthis was the start of what became known as the Battle of Grave lines. The aim English tactic of using fire-ships, created panic among the invasion was to depose Elizabeth I Spaniards and to reimpose Catholicism on the English peoplefleet was broken up into small groups of ships. The fleet was an impressive one and the Spanish were experienced, sailors and navigatorsbattle lasted over a week with both sides launching attacks. However, the commander Medina-Sidonia decided to withdraw. This decision was old and relatively inexperienced and he decisive as it meant that the Spanish army was unable to commit mistake after mistakerendezvous with the invasion army. Drake and 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 fleet to sail to the north and into the North Sea.

The ====How was the Spanish fleet despite its numerical advantage did not attack the English fleet based at Portsmouth Armada destroyed?====Medina-Sidonia tried to regroup his ships and instead sailed withdraw to CalaisSpain. The Spanish army under the Duke of Parma was advancing to Calais to be transported This ended Spain's attempt to invade England. Howeverwas over, the English navy under Drake and Howard attacked but it did not end the Armada with fireships, and 's problems. At this was the start of what became known as the Battle of Grave lines. The English tactic of using fire-shipspoint, created panic among the Spaniards Armada sought only to survive and the fleet was broken up into small groups of ships. The battle was return to last over a week with both sides launching attacksSpain. HoweverUnfortunately, Medinainclement weather and a strong south-Sidonia decided to withdraw and this was decisive as it western wind meant that the Spanish army was unable to rendezvous with could not return via the invasion armyEnglish Channel. Drake This wind later became known in England as a ‘Protestant Wind.’<ref>McDermott, James. <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 the other English commanders were happy to let the Spanish Armada sail away from the invasion force: The Necessary Quarrel]</i>. Then a strong wind from the southwest forced the fleet to sail to the north and into the North Sea(New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2005), P. 215</ref>

Medina-Sidonia could regroup his ships and decided to withdraw to Spain and the attempt to invade England was over. Now the Armada sought only to survive and return to Spain. The inclement weather and a strong south-western meant that the Spanish could not return via the English Channel and this wind became known in England as a ‘Protestant Wind.’<ref>McDermott, James. <i>England and the Spanish Armada: The Necessary Quarrel</i>. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2005), P. 215</ref> The Spanish Command, which could not communicate with Madrid , decided to round the British Isles. The Armada sailed around Scotland but all the while was harried by English navy continued to harry the English Spanish fleet. The weather was very unseasonable for that time of years year and the Phillip's fleet of Phillip II was battered by strong gales and massive storms. As the Armada made their way around Scotland the suffered many lossesthey began to lose ships. Many more ships were wrecked on the west coast of Ireland and the survivors were hunted down and killed by natives loyal to the English crown.<ref>T. P. Kilfeather. <i>[https://www.amazon.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 Spanish Armada]</i> (Anvil Books, 1967), p. 167</ref> By the time that the remnants of the Spanish invasion fleet made it to Spain over two-thirds of the original Armada had been was lost. The While the defeat of the Spanish Aramada did not end the undeclared Anglo-Spanish War did not end with the defeat of the Armada but was to which would continue until 1604 and , it made if difficult for Spain to to get the upper hand. Eventually, the conflict ended in a stalemate.

===England’s salvation=Could Spain have taken England if had successfully landed its invasion force?====The Spanish Armada is one of the great ‘ifs’ in history. If the Spanish ships had been able to rendezvous with the army of Flanders and transported transport it across the Channel, then it is quite likely that England would may have been defeated. 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. The English army was mainly composed of local militias and was poorly led and trained. In a set piece battle, on land, it seems likely that the Spanish forces would most likely have overcome the English been victorious and deposed Elizabeth I. The kingdom of England would have become part of the Spanish Empire. Phillip II did not plan to rule it directly but planned to place a Catholic on the throne and they . Philip wanted an ally that would have been the ally and become dependent of the Spanishon Spain. The defeat of the Armada prevented this from happening and it secured the independence of England and . England's victory allowed her to become a major world power by the eighteenth century.<ref> Holmes, p. 257</ref>

By ====What impact did the 1580s defeat of the Church of Spanish Armada have on Catholics in England?====Phillip II wanted to return England was supported by most English people and they would have resisted any attempt to reimpose Catholicism. If the Catholic faith. It Armada had been successful then it seems likely that England a Catholic king or queen would have been placed on the throne. They would have suffered a series of Religious Wars similar had the power to France overturn the Protestant establishment in the sixteenth centurycountry. However, No longer would the failure Church of England be the Armada meant that state church and once again the Catholic Church of England was now more secure than ever before. Increasingly, would have been the English people began to see themselves as a Protestant peopleonly recognized religion. They saw Protestantism as an integral part of Englishness and important Phillip II believed that it was right for a monarch to ensure religious conformity in their freedomkingdom. Many English people became even more anti-The new Catholic after monarch probably would have persecuted Protestants in much the Armada. ‘Popery’ same way as they referred to Catholicism was associated with autocracy, intolerance, and slaveryMary I had during her reign. This anti-With Catholicism was an important aspect of English political life for many years.<ref>Bridgen, Susan. <i>New Worlds, Lost Worlds: The Rule of the Tudors, 1485–1603</i>. New York, NY: Viking Penguin, 2001), p. 115</ref> It is arguable that the main losers reestablished this could have hobbled Protestantism in the Armada apart from all those who died in the conflict were English CatholicsEngland.

After By the Armada1580s, Catholics known as ‘recusants’ because they refused to recognize the Church of England came under official was supported by most English people and unofficial pressure to conform they would have resisted any attempt to reimpose the state religion<ref> Bridgen, pCatholic faith. 234</ref>. Even loyal Catholics became suspect and as Still it is likely that England would have suffered a result, more and Catholics converted series of Religious Wars similar to ProtestantismFrance in the sixteenth century. By However, the end failure of the reign Armada meant that the Church of Elizabeth, England was now more secure than ever before. Increasingly, the English people began to see themselves as a Protestant nation, with only a small and oppressed Catholic minoritypeople. The Armada had played They saw Protestantism as an integral part of Englishness and important role in this processfor their freedom. Phillip II had attempted to overturn Many English people became even more anti-Catholic after the religious settlement in England but his attempted invasion only strengthened itArmada. The people of England began ‘Popery’ as they referred to see themselves in providential terms Catholicism was associated with autocracy, intolerance, and in biblical terms as slavery. This anti-Catholicism was an ‘elect nation’ important aspect of English political life for many years.<ref>Krishan KumarBridgen, Susan. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0142001252/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0142001252&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=128a402be47987e0bd3742b14adafb3d New Worlds, Lost Worlds: The making Rule of English national identitythe Tudors, 1485–1603]</i> (Cambridge. New York, Cambridge University PressNY: Viking Penguin, 20032001), p. 45115</ref>. They believed that they were chosen by God to carry out his will and this gave them a new-found confidence. 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.

===On the hand, English Catholics faced an increasingly difficult life in England as a naval power===[[File: after the Armada One's destruction.jpg|250px|thumbnail|left|Sir Francis Drake]]It has often been stated that Catholics, known as ‘recusants,’ refused to recognize the defeat Church of England. They came under official and unofficial pressure to conform to the Armada ended the Spanish superiority at sea state religion and was the beginning of 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 Armadagive up their faith.’<ref>Bridgen, p. 135234</ref> This was a naval attack on Spain but it was heavily defeated with great Even loyal English losses. Madrid changed its strategy Catholics became suspect and as a series of fortifications were built in the Americas that gave greater protection against English result, more and other privateersCatholics converted to Protestantism. The fact remains that Spain after By the defeat end of the Armada remained the premier maritime power outside Chinareign of Elizabeth, England was a Protestant nation, with only a small oppressed Catholic minority. However, the defeat of the The Armada did lead to long-term changes that were to prove very had played an important role in this process. Phillip II had attempted to overturn the rise of religious settlement in England as a naval power. There was a recognition, after the but his attempted Spanish invasion that the English needed a strong navy and successive English administrations pursued policies that helped only strengthened it. The people of England began to expand the navy see themselves in providential terms and develop new technologies and ‘modern shipyardsin biblical terms as an ‘elect nation.’ <ref>HolmesKrishan 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 Making of English national identity]</i> (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2003), p. 21745</ref> As a result, The English began to believe that they were chosen by God to carry out his will. This sense of mission was one that was very important in later decades and was an important factor in the wake growth of the ArmadaEnglish power, especially in the kingdom became an important naval powerseventeenth and eighteenth century.

If ====Did the Spanish Armada had been a success then it seems likely that the English would not have been able to successfully plant colonies in North America. 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 of England then this may never have occurred. The defeat of the Spanish Armada saw turn England emerge as, if not into 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>Holmes, p. 256?====</refdiv class="portal" style='float:right; width:35%'>. Its naval capability was in the long-term to directly to 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:British History}}<div class="portal" style="width:85%;">==Related DailyHistory.org Articles====

</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 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====