CHARLES V´ S COAT OF ARMS

Philosophers and thinkers

Spanish Armada

TASK 1-This is an extract from a letter to the English government which gives details about the progress of the Armada.

• How useful do you think this information would be to the English government?

I think this information was really useful to the English government because it provides details about the expedition, components of the fleet, mariners, soldiers and leaders as well. Which probably impressed and warned the english.

• Why were there more soldiers than sailors?

Because the target of that expedition was to invade England. To achieve that, many soldiers were needed, the sailors had to sail the fleet and led them there.

TASK 2- This is a report from Lord Howard of Effingham, the Admiral of the English fleet.

• How do you think the news that the Spanish Armada had been sighted was able to reach Lord Howard so quickly when he was at Plymouth, over a hundred miles away?

Due to its importance it was urgent to arrive the letter to him so they could react

• Why do you think Howard complained to Walsingham about the wind?

Because it was the reason the spanish ships managed to get to the coast.

• Howard says that the Spanish fleet was ‘soe strong’. What made it strong?

Because it consisted of 120 sails whereof there were 4 galleons and many ships of great burden.

TASK 4-An extract from a Spanish captain’s account of the events. He had survived after being shipwrecked on the Irish coast and was then interrogated by the English, but eventually returned home to Spain.

• The Spanish Armada fought the English fleet for two days without losing any ships. What happened next that changed this?

Don Pedro and his shipp were taken, being throwen behinde his companie, by reason of a shott that brake his maine mast.

• Why was it a good thing that the Spanish plans were stopped?

After some calm days with no looses, Medina Sidonia recieves a devastating message, the army of Duque the Parmais not prepared, so Sidonia decides to anchore in Callibi, however in the night they perceaved 6 shippes (sended by a famous english corsair called Crake) falling upon them fired: by reason whererof they were dryven to cut their cables and set saile: at which tyme a greate ship was burned among them, and a Galleas cast awaie on the sands. After which the Spanish fleet is found by the english dispersed and easy to be attacked. Meanwhile the rest of the spanish ships have been sent by the weather to the North Sea where they suffer a terrible storm near Norway. All these unfortunate events was a huge disaster for the Spaniards.

• If you could change one thing to give the Spanish a better chance of winning what would it be and why?

I would change Medina Sidonia by another more experience leader. Phillip II chose a new leader for the Spanish Armada depending on the social level instead of his knowledge, something which from my point of view was definetly wrong.

• The English celebrated their victory with a medal saying ‘God Blew and they were Scattered’ – how would the Spanish have explained their defeat?

They justified their terrible defeat in the weather conditions, lack of organization and bad leadership.

TASK 6- Explain in a short paragraph why many people thought that God had helped the English defeat the Spanish Armada.

One of the main reasons why the Spanish Armada was defeated was a strong wind wich led the ships to the North Sea, scattering and driving them away from the English coasts. This benefited the  English army wich didn't have to fight much. As a result, they thought God helped them to win.