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[[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 (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 its independence.  With defeat of the independence Armada, England become a serious European naval power. Britain's navy was 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 increasingly unpopular and was viewed as anti-English. The English also saw the defeat of the Armada as an act of divine providence. It confirmed to them that England was a kingdomdestined for greatness. ====Why did Spain send the Spanish Armada to invade England?====[[File: Armada 3.jpg|150px|thumbnail|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 King Phillip II was an ardent Catholic and he had two primary ambitions. First, he wanted to return all Protestants back to the Catholic faith. Second, he hoped to to expand the growing power of Spain. The Spanish King had been married to Mary I of England and it seemed that for a time that England would fall under Spanish influence. However, the coronation of Elizabeth I had fundamentally altered this dynamic because she was determined to maintain England's independence from Spain. Spain, on the hand, wanted to force the English back into the Catholic fold and end the attacks of English pirates on their ships and colonies in the Americas.

The defeat of Elizabeth, I had encouraged English privateers, such as Sir Francis Drake to mount attacks on Spanish targets. Elizabeth sought to limit the Armada led to England becoming a naval power of Spain and this was to prove important in secure some of the foundation of riches ‘of the future British EmpireAmerica 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 Oxford Companion to Military History]</i> (Oxford, Oxford University Press. 2001), p. As a result of 214</ref> The English Queen also supported the failed invasion, by Catholic Dutch in their revolt against Phillip II. Relations between Spain, and England became more self-consciously Protestant deteriorated rapidly and, Catholicism became very unpopular and seen as antiby the mid-English1580s the two countries were in an undeclared war. The defeat A war that was to last until the end of Elizabeth’s reign. Spain was the Armada was an act of divine providence richest and it confirmed the opinion of many 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 secure many of his strategic objectives in Europe. The Spanish presented the Armada as a kingdom destined for greatness Catholic crusade and this it was to play a very important role in English national identity for many centuriespartially funded by the Papacy.

===Background=How did England defeat the Spanish Armada?====In [[File: Armada 4.jpg|350px|thumbnail|left| A contemporary painting of the sixteenth century, Europe was divided into two mutually hostile religious groups. Armada]]The North launch of Europe was dominated by Protestantism and the south was mainly Catholic. England Armada had become been delayed several times, including once because of a Protestant realm raid by the mid-sixteenth century, but this English on Cadiz. The Spanish Armada was opposed by many Catholics. Contrary to popular beliefa fleet of 130 ships and it first left the port of Coruna in August 1588, Catholicism had been popular in England before under the command of the Reformation and many people still sympathized with what they called Duke of Medina Sidonia, the ‘old religionmost powerful noble in Spain.’<ref> Duffy, E. Stripping of the Altars (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2000)Holmes, p. 113215</ref> Queen The fleet was ordered to sail to the English Channel and transport a large army in Flanders into England. The aim of the invasion was to depose Elizabeth, I initially pursued a moderate religious policy and to minimize religious conflict between Catholic reimpose Catholicism on the English people. The fleet was an impressive and the Spanish were experienced, sailors and Protestantnavigators. However, Elizabeth soon found herself under pressure from the great Catholic power of the time, Spain. It commander Medina-Sidonia was the dominant Catholic power in Europe because of its vast territories in Europe old and relatively inexperienced and he committed mistake after mistake throughout the Americascampaign.

The Spanish King Phillip II was an ardent Catholic fleet despite its numerical advantage did not attack the English fleet based at Portsmouth and he had two ambitions, instead sailed to Calais. The Spanish army under the first Duke of Parma was advancing to Calais to be transported to return England. However, the Protestants to English navy under Drake and Howard attacked the Catholic faith Armada with fireships, and to expand this was the start of what became known as the power Battle of SpainGrave lines. The Spanish King had been married to Mary I English tactic of England using fire-ships, created panic among the Spaniards and it seemed that for the fleet was broken up into small groups of ships. The battle lasted over a time that England would become part of the Spanish dominionsweek with both sides launching attacks. However, Medina-Sidonia decided to withdraw. This decision was decisive as it meant that the coronation of Elizabeth I had changed all of this and she Spanish army was determined on a policy of independence from Spainunable to rendezvous with the invasion army. Spain wanted Drake and the other English commanders were happy to let the Armada sail away from the invasion force . Then a strong wind from the English back into southwest forced the Catholic fold and fleet to sail to end the attacks of English pirates on their shipping north and colonies in into the AmericasNorth Sea.

Elizabeth====How was the Spanish Armada destroyed?====Medina-Sidonia tried to regroup his ships and withdraw to Spain. This ended Spain's attempt to invade England was over, I had encouraged English privateersbut it did not end the Armada's problems. At this point, such as Sir Francis Drake the Armada sought only to mount attacks on Spanish targets. Elizabeth sought survive and return to limit the power of Spain . Unfortunately, inclement weather and to secure some of a strong south-western wind meant that the riches ‘of Spanish could not return via the America colonies for her subjectsEnglish Channel. This wind later became known in England as a ‘Protestant Wind.’<ref> HolmesMcDermott, RichardJames. <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: The Oxford Companion to Military HistoryNecessary Quarrel]</i> . (OxfordNew Haven, Oxford CT: Yale University Press. 2001, 2005), pP. 214215</ref> The English Queen also supported the Dutch in their revolt against Phillip II. Relations between Spain and England began to deteriorate and by the mid-1580s the two countries were in an undeclared war, that was to last the rest of Elizabeth’s reign. Spain was the richest and the most powerful Empire in Europe and Phillip decided 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 Papacy.

===The Spanish Armada=== [[File: Armada 4Command, which could not communicate with Madrid, decided to round the British Isles.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 sailed around Scotland but the English on Cadiznavy continued to harry the Spanish fleet. The Spanish Armada weather was a very unseasonable for that time of year and the Phillip's fleet of 130 ships was battered by strong gales and it first left massive storms. As the port of Coruna in August 1588, under Armada made their way around Scotland they began to lose ships. Many more ships were wrecked on the command west coast of Ireland and the Duke of Medina Sidonia, survivors were hunted down and killed by natives loyal to the most powerful noble in SpainEnglish crown.<ref> HolmesT. 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. 215167</ref> The fleet was ordered to sail to By the time that the English Channel and transport a large army in Flanders into England. The aim remnants of the Spanish invasion was fleet made it to depose Elizabeth I and to reimpose Catholicism on Spain over two-thirds of the English peopleoriginal Armada was lost. The fleet was an impressive one and While the defeat of the Spanish Aramada did not end the undeclared Anglo-Spanish were experiencedWar which would continue until 1604, sailors and navigatorsit made if difficult for Spain to to get the upper hand. HoweverEventually, the commander Medina-Sidonia was old and relatively inexperienced and he was to commit mistake after mistakeconflict ended in a stalemate.

====Could Spain have taken England if had successfully landed its invasion force?====The Spanish fleet despite its numerical advantage did not attack Armada is one of the great ‘ifs’ in history. If the Spanish ships had been able to rendezvous with the English fleet based at Portsmouth army of Flanders and instead sailed to Calaistransport it across the Channel, then England may have been defeated. The Spanish army under the Duke of Parma was advancing to Calais considered to be transported to England. However, the English navy under Drake best in Europe at this time and Howard attacked the Armada with fireships, and this it was the start composed not only of what became known as the Battle of Grave linesSpanish but German veterans. The English tactic army was mainly composed of using fire-shipslocal militias and was poorly led and trained. In a set piece battle, on land, created panic among the Spaniards Spanish forces would most likely have been victorious and the fleet was broken up into small groups of shipsdeposed Elizabeth I. The battle was to last over a week with both sides launching attackskingdom of England would have become part of the Spanish Empire. However, Medina-Sidonia decided Phillip II did not plan to withdraw and this was decisive as rule it meant that the Spanish army was unable directly but planned to rendezvous with place a Catholic on the invasion armythrone. Philip wanted an ally that would become dependent on Spain. Drake and the other English commanders were happy to let The defeat of the Armada sail away prevented this from happening and secured the invasion forceindependence of England. Then England's victory allowed her to become a strong wind from major world power by the southwest forced the fleet to sail to the north and into the North Seaeighteenth century.<ref> Holmes, p. 257</ref>

Medina<dh-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. England and the Spanish Armada: The Necessary Quarrel. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2005), P. 215<ad/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 the English fleet. The weather was very unseasonable for that time of years and the fleet of Phillip II was battered by gales and storms. As the Armada made their way around Scotland the suffered many losses. 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>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 lost. The undeclared Anglo-Spanish War did not end with the defeat of the Armada but was to continue until 1604 and ended in a stalemate.

===England’s salvation=What impact did the defeat of the Spanish Armada have on Catholics in England?====The Spanish Armada is one of the great ‘ifs’ in historyPhillip II wanted to return England to Catholicism. If the Spanish ships Armada had been able to rendezvous with the army of Flanders and transported it across the Channel, successful then it is quite seems likely that England a Catholic king or queen would have been defeatedplaced on the throne. The Spanish army was considered They would have had the power to be overturn the best Protestant establishment 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 trainedthe country. In a set piece battle, on land, it seems likely that the Spanish No longer would have overcome the English and deposed Elizabeth I. The kingdom Church of England be the state church and once again the Catholic Church would have become part of been the Spanish Empireonly recognized religion. Phillip II did not plan to rule believed that it directly but planned was right for a monarch to place a ensure religious conformity in their kingdom. The new Catholic on the throne and they monarch probably would have been persecuted Protestants in much the ally and dependent of the Spanishsame way as Mary I had during her reign. The defeat of the Armada prevented With Catholicism reestablished this from happening and it secured the independence of could have hobbled Protestantism in England and allowed her to become a world power by the eighteenth century.<ref> Holmes, p. 257</ref>

===The Armada and Religion===[[File: Armada 2.jpg|390px|thumbnail|left|English fireships attacking Spanish vessels at By the 1580s, the Battle Church of Grevellines]]Phillip II wanted to return England was supported by most English people and they would have resisted any attempt to Catholicismreimpose the Catholic faith. If the Armada had been successful then Still it seems is likely that a Catholic king or queen England would have been placed on the throne. They would have had the power suffered a series of Religious Wars similar to overturn the Protestant establishment France in the countrysixteenth century. No longer would However, the Church failure of England be the state church and once again Armada meant that the Catholic Church would have been of England was now more secure than ever before. Increasingly, the only recognized religion in the realmEnglish people began to see themselves as a Protestant people. Phillip II believed that it was right They saw Protestantism as an integral part of Englishness and important for a monarch to ensure religious conformity in their kingdomfreedom. It seems most likely that the new Many English people became even more anti-Catholic monarch would have persecuted Protestants in much after the same way Armada. ‘Popery’ as Mary I had during her reignthey referred to Catholicism was associated with autocracy, intolerance, and slavery. Now while This anti-Catholicism would have been made was an important aspect of English political life for many years.<ref>Bridgen, 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 Rule of the state religion this would not have seen the end of Protestantism in EnglandTudors, 1485–1603]</i>. New York, NY: Viking Penguin, 2001), p. 115</ref>

By On the hand, English Catholics faced an increasingly difficult life in England after the 1580s Armada's destruction. Catholics, known as ‘recusants,’ refused to recognize the Church of England was supported by most English people . They came under official and they would have resisted any attempt unofficial pressure to conform to reimpose the Catholic state religion and give up their faith. It seems likely that England would have suffered <ref> Bridgen, p. 234</ref> Even loyal English Catholics became suspect and as a series of Religious Wars similar result, more and Catholics converted to France in the sixteenth centuryProtestantism. However, By the failure end of the Armada meant that the Church reign of Elizabeth, England was now more secure than ever before. Increasinglya Protestant nation, the English people began to see themselves as with only a Protestant peoplesmall oppressed Catholic minority. They saw Protestantism as The Armada had played an integral part of Englishness and important for their freedomrole in this process. Many English people became even more anti-Catholic after Phillip II had attempted to overturn the Armadareligious settlement in England but his attempted invasion only strengthened it. ‘Popery’ as they referred The people of England began to Catholicism was associated with autocracy, intolerance, see themselves in providential terms and slavery. This anti-Catholicism was in biblical terms as an important aspect of English political life for many years‘elect nation.’ <ref>Bridgen, SusanKrishan Kumar. <i>New Worlds, Lost Worlds[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 Rule Making of the Tudors, 1485–1603English national identity]</i>. New York(Cambridge, NY: Viking PenguinCambridge University Press, 20012003), p. 11545</ref> It is arguable The English began to believe that the main losers 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 Armada apart from all those who died growth of English power, especially in the conflict were English Catholicsseventeenth and eighteenth century.

After ====Did the Armada, Catholics known as ‘recusants’ because they refused to recognize the Church defeat of England came under official and unofficial pressure to conform to the state religion<ref> Bridgen, p. 234</ref>. Even loyal Catholics became suspect and as a result, more and Catholics converted to Protestantism. By the end of the reign of Elizabeth, Spanish Armada turn England was into a Protestant nation, with only a small and oppressed Catholic minority. The Armada had played an important role in this process. Phillip II had attempted to overturn the religious settlement in England but his attempted invasion only strengthened it. The people of England began to see themselves in providential terms and in biblical terms as an ‘elect nation’ <ref> Krishan Kumar. The making of English national identity (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2003), p. 45naval power?====</refdiv class="portal" style='float:right; width:35%'>. 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.

===England as a naval power=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|200px250px|thumbnail|left|Sir Francis Drake]]It has often been stated that the defeat of the Armada ended the Spanish superiority at sea and was the beginning of 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 great 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. 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 to long-term changes that were proved to prove 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 and develop . England focused on developing new technologies and building ‘modern shipyards.’ <ref>Holmes, p. 217</ref> As a result, in These changes laid the wake of the Armada, the kingdom became an important groundwork for England naval power.

If Additionally, if the Spanish Armada had been a success then it seems likely is highly unlikely that the English England would not have been able to successfully plant colonies in North America. In the early seventeenth century, English colonies were found 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, that had and the means to establish colonies and to principal colonizer of North America. Additionally, English trading companies such as the East India Companyexpanded across the globe.<ref>Holmes, p. 256</ref>. Its England's naval capability was in the long-term to directly to lead to the growth and development of the British Empire.

====Conclusion====

{{Mediawiki:British HistoryAmNative}}====References====<references/>