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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 England become a serious European naval power. Britain's navy was divided into two mutually hostile religious groups. The North the foundation of Europe was dominated by Protestantism and the south was mainly Catholicthe 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,  ====Background====[[File: Armada 3.jpg|150px|thumbnail|left|King Phillip II of Spain-mortal enemy of Elizabeth soon found herself under pressure from I]]In the great Catholic power of the timesixteenth century, SpainEurope was divided into two mutually hostile religious groups. It The Northern Europe was dominated by Protestants regimes and the dominant south was mainly Catholic power in Europe because of its vast territories in Europe and the Americas. The Spanish King Phillip II was England had become an ardent Catholic and he had two ambitions, increasing Protestant state by the first was mid-sixteenth century. Contrary to return popular belief, Catholicism had been popular in England before the Protestants to the Catholic faith Reformation and to expand the power of Spain. The Spanish King had been married to Mary I of England 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’<ref> Duffy, the coronation of Elizabeth I had changed all of this and she was determined on a policy of independence from SpainE. Spain wanted to force <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 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 minimize religious conflict between Catholic and Protestant. However, Elizabeth soon found herself under pressure from Spain - the riches ‘of preeminent Catholic power in the America colonies for her subjects’ <ref> Holmes, Richardworld at that time. Spain's influence reach stretched across Europe and into the Americas.  The Oxford Companion to Military History (OxfordSpanish King Phillip II was an ardent Catholic and he had two primary ambitions. First, Oxford University Presshe wanted to return all Protestants back to the Catholic faith. 2001)Second, p. 214</ref>he hoped to to expand the growing power of Spain. The English Queen also supported the Dutch in their revolt against Phillip II. Relations between Spain and Spanish King had been married to Mary I of England began to deteriorate and by the mid-1580s the two countries were in an undeclared warit seemed that for a time that England would fall under Spanish influence. However, that was to last the rest coronation of Elizabeth’s reign. Spain Elizabeth I had fundamentally altered this dynamic because she was determined to maintain England's independence from Spain. Spain, on the richest and the most powerful Empire in Europe and Phillip decided that he would invade Englandhand, believing it would help him wanted to secure many of his strategic objectives. The Spanish presented the Armada as a force the English back into the Catholic crusade fold and it was partially funded by end the Papacy.Armada 3.jpgattacks of English pirates on their ships and colonies in the Americas.  [[File: Armada 3.jpg|200px|thumb|left|King Phillip II of Spain-mortal enemy of Elizabeth , I]]==The had encouraged English privateers, such as Sir Francis Drake to mount attacks on Spanish Armada==The launch targets. Elizabeth sought to limit the power of the Armada had been delayed several times, including once because Spain and to secure some of a raid by the English on Cadizriches ‘of the America colonies for her subjects. The Spanish Armada was a fleet of 130 ships and it first left the port of Coruna in August 1588’<ref> Holmes, under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia, the most powerful noble in Spain<ref> Holmes, pRichard. <i>[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 Military History]</i> (Oxford, Oxford University Press. 2001), p. 214</ref> The English Channel and transport a large army Queen also supported the Dutch in Flanders into their revolt against Phillip II. Relations between Spain and England. The aim of the invasion was to depose Elizabeth I deteriorated rapidly and to reimpose Catholicism on by the English peoplemid-1580s the two countries were in an undeclared war. A war that was to last until the end of Elizabeth’s reign. The fleet Spain was an impressive one the richest and the Spanish were experienced, sailors most powerful Empire in Europe and navigatorsPhillip decided that he would invade England. However, the commander Medina-Sidonia was old and relatively inexperienced and He believed that if he was successful it would help him to commit mistake after mistakesecure many of his strategic objectives in Europe. The Spanish fleet despite its numerical advantage did not attack presented the English fleet based at Portsmouth Armada as a Catholic crusade and instead sailed to Calaisit was partially funded by the Papacy.  ====The Spanish army under the Duke of Parma was advancing to Calais to be transported to EnglandArmada====[[File: Armada 4. However, jpg|350px|thumbnail|left| A contemporary painting of the English navy under Drake and Howard attacked Armada]]The launch of the Armada with fireshipshad been delayed several times, and this was the start including once because of what became known as a raid by the Battle of Grave linesEnglish on Cadiz. The English tactic Spanish Armada was a fleet of using fire-130 shipsand it first left the port of Coruna in August 1588, created panic among under the Spaniards and command of the fleet was broken up into small groups Duke of shipsMedina Sidonia, the most powerful noble in Spain.<ref> Holmes, p. 215</ref> The battle fleet was ordered to last over sail to the English Channel and transport a week with both sides launching attackslarge army in Flanders into England. However, Medina-Sidonia decided The aim of the invasion was to withdraw depose Elizabeth I and this was decisive as it meant that to reimpose Catholicism on the Spanish army English people. The fleet was unable to rendezvous with the invasion army. Drake an impressive and the other English commanders Spanish were happy to let the Armada sail away from the invasion forceexperienced, sailors and navigators. Then a strong wind from However, the southwest forced the fleet to sail to the north and into 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 overcampaign. Now the Armada sought only to survive  The Spanish fleet despite its numerical advantage did not attack the English fleet based at Portsmouth and return instead sailed to SpainCalais. The inclement weather and a strong south-western meant that Spanish army under the Spanish could not return via Duke of Parma was advancing to Calais to be transported to England. However, the English Channel navy under Drake and Howard attacked the Armada with fireships, and this wind was the start of what became known in England as a ‘Protestant Wind’ <ref>McDermottthe Battle of Grave lines. The English tactic of using fire-ships, James. England created panic among the Spaniards and the Spanish Armada: fleet was broken up into small groups of ships. The Necessary Quarrelbattle lasted over a week with both sides launching attacks. New HavenHowever, CT: Yale University Press, 2005), P. 215</ref>Medina-Sidonia decided to withdraw. The This decision was decisive as it meant that the Spanish Command, which could not communicate army was unable to rendezvous with Madrid decided to round the British Islesinvasion army. The Armada sailed around Scotland but all Drake and the while was harried by other English commanders were happy to let the English fleet. The weather was very unseasonable for that time of years and Armada sail away from the fleet of Phillip II was battered by gales and stormsinvasion force. As Then a strong wind from the Armada made their way around Scotland southwest forced the suffered many losses. Many more ships were wrecked on fleet to sail to the west coast of Ireland north and into the survivors were hunted down North Sea.  Medina-Sidonia tried to regroup his ships and killed by natives loyal withdraw to the English crown <ref>TSpain. P. Kilfeather Ireland: Graveyard of This ended Spain's attempt to invade England was over, but it did not end the Spanish Armada (Anvil Books's problems. At this point, 1967), pthe Armada sought only to survive and return to Spain. 167</ref>. By the time Unfortunately, inclement weather and a strong south-western wind meant that the remnants of Spanish could not return via the Spanish invasion fleet made it to Spain over two-thirds of the original Armada had been lostEnglish Channel. This wind later became known in England as a ‘Protestant Wind. The undeclared Anglo-Spanish War did not end with the defeat of ’<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 Spanish Armada but was to continue until 1604 and ended in a stalemate: The Necessary Quarrel]</i>. ==England’s salvation==The Spanish Armada is one of the great ‘ifs’ in history(New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2005), P. If the 215</ref>  The Spanish ships had been able Command, which could not communicate with Madrid decided to rendezvous with round the army of Flanders and transported it across the Channel, then it is quite likely that England would have been defeatedBritish Isles. The Spanish army was considered Armada sailed around Scotland but the English navy continued to be harry the best in Europe at this time and it was composed not only of Spanish veterans but also German veteransfleet. The English army weather was mainly composed very unseasonable for that time of local militias year and the Phillip's fleet was poorly led battered by strong gales and trainedmassive storms. In a set piece battle, As the Armada made their way around Scotland they began to lose ships. Many more ships were wrecked on land, it seems likely that the Spanish would have overcome west coast of Ireland and the English survivors were hunted down and deposed Elizabeth Ikilled by natives loyal to the English crown.<ref>T. The kingdom of England would have become part of the Spanish EmpireP. Phillip II did not plan to rule it directly but planned to place a Catholic on the throne and they would have been the ally and dependent of the SpanishKilfeather. 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<ref> Holmes, p<i>[https://www.amazon. 257<com/gp/product/B0013K2KD6/ref>. =as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0013K2KD6&linkCode=The Armada and Religionas2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=Phillip II wanted to return England to Catholicism. If a486270d446af7bb1840eb37dd11d649 Ireland: Graveyard of the Spanish Armada had been successful then it seems likely ]</i> (Anvil Books, 1967), p. 167</ref> By the time that a Catholic king or queen would have been placed on the throne. They would have had remnants of the power Spanish invasion fleet made it to overturn Spain over two-thirds of the Protestant establishment in the countryoriginal Armada was lost. No longer would While the Church defeat of England be the state church and once again Spanish Aramade 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 only recognized religion upper hand. Eventually, the 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  ====England’s salvation====The Spanish Armada is one of the new Catholic monarch would have persecuted Protestants great ‘ifs’ in much history. If the same way as Mary I had during her reign. Now while Catholicism would have Spanish ships had been made able to rendezvous with the state religion this would not have seen the end army of Protestantism in England. By Flanders and transport it across the 1580s the Church of Channel, then England may have been defeated. 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 of the Armada meant that the Church Spanish forces would most likely have been victorious and deposed Elizabeth I. The kingdom of England was now more secure than ever beforewould have become part of the Spanish Empire. Increasingly, the English people began Phillip II did not plan to rule it directly but planned to see themselves as place a Protestant peopleCatholic on the throne. They saw Protestantism as Philip wanted an integral part of Englishness and important for their freedomally that would become dependent on Spain. Many English people became even more anti-Catholic after The defeat of the Armadaprevented this from happening and secured the independence of England. ‘Popery’ as they referred England's victory allowed her to Catholicism was associated with autocracybecome a major world power by the eighteenth century.<ref> Holmes, intolerance, and slaveryp. This anti257</ref>  <dh-Catholicism was an important aspect of English political life for many years <refad/>Bridgen, Susan. New Worlds, Lost Worlds: The Rule of  ====The Armada and Religion====Phillip II wanted to return England to Catholicism. If the Tudors, 1485–1603. New York, NY: Viking Penguin, 2001), p. 115</ref> It is arguable Armada had been successful then it seems likely that a Catholic king or queen would have been placed on the main losers in throne. They would have had the Armada apart from all those who died power to overturn the Protestant establishment in the conflict were English Catholicscountry. After the Armada, Catholics known as ‘recusants’ because they refused to recognize No longer would the Church of England came under official be the state church and unofficial pressure to conform to once again the Catholic Church would have been the state only recognized religion<ref> Bridgen, p. 234</ref>. Even loyal Catholics became suspect and as Phillip II believed that it was right for a result, more and Catholics converted monarch to Protestantismensure religious conformity in their kingdom. By the end of The new Catholic monarch probably would have persecuted Protestants in much the same way as Mary I had during her reign of Elizabeth, . With Catholicism reestablished this could have hobbled Protestantism in England was a Protestant nation.  By the 1580s, with only a small the Church of England was supported by most English people and oppressed they would have resisted any attempt to reimpose the Catholic minorityfaith. The Armada had played an important role Still it is likely that England would have suffered a series of Religious Wars similar to France in this processthe sixteenth century. Phillip II had attempted to overturn However, the religious settlement in failure of the Armada meant that the Church of England but his attempted invasion only strengthened itwas now more secure than ever before. The Increasingly, the English people of England began to see themselves in providential terms and in biblical terms as a Protestant people. They saw Protestantism as an ‘elect nation’ <ref> Krishan Kumarintegral part of Englishness and important for their freedom. The making of Many English national identity (Cambridgepeople became even more anti-Catholic after the Armada. ‘Popery’ as they referred to Catholicism was associated with autocracy, Cambridge University Pressintolerance, 2003), pand slavery. This anti-Catholicism was an important aspect of English political life for many years. 45</ref>Bridgen, Susan. They believed that they were chosen by God to carry out his will and this gave them a new-found confidence<i>[https://www.amazon. This sense of mission was one that was very important in later decades and was an important factor in 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 Rule of the growth of English powerTudors, especially in the seventeenth and eighteenth century1485–1603]</i>. [[FileNew York, NY: Armada 2Viking Penguin, 2001), p.jpg|200px|thumb|left|115</ref>  On the hand, English fireships attacking Spanish vessels at Catholics faced an increasingly difficult life in England after the Armada's destruction. Catholics, known as ‘recusants,’ refused to recognize the Battle Church of Grevellines]]==England as a naval power==It has often been stated that . They came under official and unofficial pressure to conform to the defeat of 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 casegive up their faith. The year following the defeat of the Spanish Armada the English monarch launched the ‘English Armada’ <ref>Bridgen, p. 135234</ref>Even loyal English Catholics became suspect and as a result, more and Catholics converted to Protestantism. This By the end of the reign of Elizabeth, England was a naval attack on Spain but it was heavily defeated Protestant nation, with great English lossesonly a small oppressed Catholic minority. Madrid changed its strategy and a series of fortifications were built The Armada had played an important role in this process. Phillip II had attempted to overturn the Americas that gave greater protection against English and other privateersreligious settlement in England but his attempted invasion only strengthened it. The fact remains that Spain after the defeat of the Armada remained the premier maritime power outside China. However, the defeat of the Armada did lead people of England began to long-term changes that were to prove very important in the rise of England see themselves in providential terms and in biblical terms as a naval poweran ‘elect nation.’ <ref>Krishan Kumar. There was a recognition, after the attempted Spanish invasion that the <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 needed a strong navy and successive English administrations pursued policies that helped to expand the navy and develop new technologies and ‘modern shipyards’ national identity]<ref/i>Holmes(Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2003), p. 21745</ref>The English began to believe that they were chosen by God to carry out his will. As a result, in the wake This sense of the Armada, the kingdom became mission was one that was very important in later decades and was an important naval factor in the growth of English power, especially in the seventeenth and eighteenth century. If 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 ====England as a naval power====[[File: Armada One. In jpg|250px|thumbnail|left|Sir Francis Drake]]It has often been stated that the defeat of the Armada ended the early seventeenth century, English colonies were found Spanish superiority at Plymouth Rock sea and Jamestownbegun England’s rise as a global naval power. This was not the case. If The year following the Spanish had placed one defeat of their candidates on the throne of England then this may never have occurred. The defeat of Spanish Armada the English monarch launched the ‘English Armada saw England emerge as.’<ref>Bridgen, 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>Holmes, p. 256p. 135</ref>. Its This was a naval capability 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 long-term to directly to lead to Americas that gave greater protection against English and other privateers. Spain, after the growth and development defeat of the British Empire. [[File: Armada One, remained the premier maritime power outside China.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Sir Francis Drake]]==Conclusion==The However, the defeat of the Armada was a major turning point did lead to long-term changes that proved to be very important in English history. It saved the throne rise of Elizabeth I and guaranteed English independence from Spain. The Spanish saw the invasion England as a crusade and one that would stamp out the heresy of Protestantism in England. The failure of naval power. There was a recognition, after the attempted Spanish invasion meant that Protestantism became more entrenched the English needed a strong navy and less sympathetic successive English administrations pursued policies that helped to Catholicismexpand the navy. England focused on developing new technologies and building ‘modern shipyards. Indeed’ <ref>Holmes, in p. 217</ref> These changes laid the aftermath of groundwork for England naval power.  Additionally, if the Spanish Armada, Protestantism became part of the national identity. To be English was to be had been a Protestant and to reject Catholicismsuccess it is highly unlikely that England would have been able to successfully plant colonies in North America. The attempted Spanish invasion led to adoption of an anti-Catholic discourseIn the early seventeenth century, known as Popery English colonies were founded at Plymouth Rock and this was an important factor in English political life for over two centuriesJamestown. The Armada did not end If the Spanish maritime supremacy but it did lead to had placed one of their candidates on the throne of England then this may never have occurred. The defeat of the Armada saw England becoming emerge as, if not a dominant naval powerbut an important one, and the principal colonizer of North America. This allowed it to found colonies and Additionally, English trading companies in such as the early seventeenth century that were to lay East India Company expanded across the foundation for 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. <div class="portal" style="width:85%;">====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>====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}}