The Spanish Armada
What were the Spanish ships like?
130 ships Red and gold Clumsy to steer Different types of cannonballs
When?
1588
When did the armada leave Spain?
2 July 1588
When did the Spanish arrive at Calais?
5 august
How did they get home?
Around Scotland and Ireland, they were battered by storms.
Why did the Spanish Armada fail?
Bad weather Fire ships Faster English ships The good leadership of the English Delay of Spanish soldiers at Calais
What were the Spanish tactics?
Crescent formation. 170 ships
What did the English do to the Spanish?
Drake attacked with fire ships, he loaded eight old ships with flammable materials and set it alight.
Why?
English sailors had been stealing gold and silver from Spanish ships. Being a catholic he thought Elizabeth deserved punishment for executing Mary. Philip was fighting to keep the Spanish Netherlands under control. Dutch soldiers were being helped by the English.
What was the outcome for the Spanish?
Every ship is damaged Sailors starve The injured wounds become infected and they die Some sailors stagger ashore only to be attacked.
What did huge 20kg balls do?
Fired in the side of the ship to sink it.
What is a ships main vulnerability?
Its foundations: wood
How did the English warn people of a possible invasion?
Lit beacons
What did 8kg cannon balls do?
Man killers.
What awaited the Spanish at Calais?
No soldiers, the soldiers were not ready/ warned
What was the outcome of the English navy chasing the Spanish for a week?
Nothing, did not sink a single ship
When are the Spaniards spotted?
Off Cornwall on the 29th
Who decided to attack England?
Philip II, king of spain
Who was the owner of the english fleet?
Queen Elizabeth
What were the Spanish tactics in general?
Ropes and raiders- sail alongside enemy ships, tie themselves alongside, soldiers onto the ship and fight with swords daggers and muskets, also with heavily guns below deck.
What was the Spanish plan?
Sail up the channel to Calais and pick up the troops 30,000 soldiers and sailors would then cross the channel, capture London and replace queen Elizabeth with a catholic monarch.
What were the English ships like?
Shorter Agile More weapons Experience Accurate long range guns Standard size cannonball
Who was manager of the English fleet?
Sir Francis Drake and Lord Howard
What are the English tactics generally?
Speedy smashers- avoid any attempts of Spanish ships getting along side, keep at a safe 150m distance and fire their guns. Then finish them off on board.
Who was his manager?
The Duke of Medina Sidonia
Where did this all happen?
The English Channel
How did the Spanish react to the fire ships?
The Spanish scatter in fear in ones and twos all over the North Sea, breaking the crescent formation.
How did the English know they were coming?
They were immediately spotted by a fast sailing boat headed for England.