The Spanish Armada
In the 16th century King Phillip the second was the king of Spain. He was the most powerful and the wealthiest man in Europe. Spain was in major debt in the new world. England was very small at the time, neither was it powerful or wealthy. When King Phillip the second got married he did not have much rule over Spain. The parliament would not give King Phillip the second complete rule over the country.
After Phillip's first wife died he did not want to lose rule over England, so he married the next person in line to the throne. Once King Phillip got power over England and Spain, he started to make his Spanish fleet and army. When the Armada set sail there main goal was to conquer England. They had 130 ships and about 30,500 men sailed away. Whenever the Spanish engaged the enemy they would get along side of the enemy and have the soldiers swing onto the enemies boats and battle them on foot.
The Spanish were going to battle the English army. The Spanish Armada had to sail up the English Channel and attack. They were to rendezvous with the Duke of Parma. He was the leader of the Spanish fleet in the Netherlands.
The English were always ready, for example when the Spanish Fleet was sighted the English would light a beacon to let the army know to get ready. When the Spanish Fleet was sighted the English Fleet went around England and got behind of the Spanish Fleet.
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http://www.theotherside.co.uk/tm-heritage/background/span-armada.htm
http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~ulm/history/sp_armada.htm
http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/history/spanish_armada.htm
The Spanish were heading for Calais. When they got there they were met by about 60 English warships. The English were in advantage with artillery and able to maneuver. The next morning they engaged in combat and the English were victorious. Bad weather scattered the ships and the Spanish lost three fourths of their men. The English sent out 11 boats and either set the Spanish ships on fire or went aboard and fought the Spanish on their own boats.
The reason of the Spanish Armada is that England wouldn't follow Roman Catholic Faith. Since England wouldn't follow this religion King Phillip the second ordered his fleet to invade England. Although Spain was a powerful enemy, England had shown it could defend itself. The English gained respect throughout Europe as champions of the Protestant cause. The defeat of the Armada allowed northern Europe to remain a Protestant stronghold. Spain had lost all of its power.
http://www.britainexpress.com/History/tudor/armada.ht
Page by Jacob and Tyler Bell 1 Harrison Jr. School, May 2004
