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How England and Spain Failed to Destroy Each Other - Early Modern History

Kings and Generals・56 minutes read

The Anglo-Spanish war of 1585–1604 involved escalating tensions between England and Spain following Mary Tudor's death, culminating in the failed Spanish Armadas and subsequent expeditions, leading to significant losses and strategic challenges for both nations. Multiple attempts by Spain to invade England, support Catholic rebellions in Ireland, and avenge past defeats were thwarted by storms, logistical issues, and military setbacks, showcasing the difficulty in conquering each other and highlighting the power struggles between Philip II and Queen Elizabeth I.

Insights

  • Spain and England were allies between 1554 and 1558 due to the marriage of Philip II of Spain and Mary Tudor, uniting against France.
  • The Anglo-Spanish War of 1585–1604 began due to escalating tensions after Elizabeth I became queen of England following Mary's death in 1558.
  • The Great Armada assembled in Lisbon in 1588 aimed to invade England but faced challenges with supplies, weather conditions, and strategic decisions.
  • The failed expeditions of the Spanish Armadas in 1589, 1596, 1597, and 1601 highlighted the challenges faced by Spain in conquering England and led to a shift in power towards King Philip, impacting both nations significantly.

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Recent questions

  • Why did the Anglo-Spanish War of 1585–1604 begin?

    Religious differences and support for opposing factions.

  • What was the primary objective of the Spanish Armada in 1588?

    To invade England with a large force.

  • What led to the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588?

    English inflicted heavy casualties, facing supply shortages.

  • What were the consequences of the failed Spanish Armada invasion?

    Shift in power towards King Philip, challenges for both nations.

  • What were the objectives of the subsequent Spanish Armadas after 1588?

    Support Catholic insurgency in Ireland, avenge defeat, distract English resources.

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Summary

00:00

Anglo-Spanish War: Armada, Tensions, Battles

  • Between 1554 and 1558, Spain and England were allies due to the marriage of Philip II of Spain and Mary Tudor, uniting against France.
  • After Mary's death in 1558, her Protestant half-sister Elizabeth became queen, leading to escalating tensions.
  • The Anglo-Spanish War of 1585–1604 began in 1588 with a fleet of nearly 200 ships aiming to invade England.
  • Tensions between England and Spain rose due to religious differences and support for opposing factions.
  • The conflict intensified in Flanders in 1572, with Dutch rebels supported by England against Spanish control.
  • Philip of Spain demanded punishment for Francis Drake's actions, leading to increased hostilities.
  • The Great Armada was assembled in Lisbon in 1588, aiming to invade England with a large force.
  • Delayed by Sir Francis Drake's actions, the Armada faced challenges with supplies and illness.
  • Medina Sidonia, appointed to lead the Armada, faced difficulties due to inexperience at sea.
  • The Armada engaged in battles with the English fleet, facing challenges due to weather conditions and strategic decisions.

13:30

Spanish Armada defeated by English fleet.

  • Spanish Admiral Medina Sidonia may have decided to invade the Isle of Wight as a secondary objective, previously authorized by Philip II.
  • Privateer John Hawkins attacked the Spanish ships San Luis and Santa Ana, later reinforced by the Ark Royal and another galleon.
  • Frobisher attempted to outflank the Armada by sailing close to the shore but faced serious damage from the Spanish when the wind dropped.
  • Medina Sidonia disengaged after an artillery exchange due to dwindling supplies of shot and gunpowder, while Howard could rely on supplies from England.
  • The Armada reached the Straits of Dover on August 6th, where currents risked sweeping the Spanish ships into the North Sea before joining Parma.
  • The Armada anchored at Calais Roads, four miles from Calais, and faced an English squadron approaching from the north.
  • English fireships, or 'hell-burners,' disrupted the Armada's anchorage, leading to the Spanish fleet sailing northeast.
  • The Armada regrouped near Gravelines, with the flagship San Martin rallying a small force of galleons, while Howard's fleet attacked fiercely.
  • The English inflicted heavy casualties on the Spanish fleet, with the Armada losing several ships and facing a shortage of supplies.
  • The Armada, exhausted and battered, sailed northwards, circumnavigating the British Isles and suffering further losses due to storms and shipwrecks.

26:31

Siege of Corunna: English Forces Victorious

  • Outnumbered arquebusiers forced into a fighting retreat by English, leading to complete encirclement of the city
  • Spanish reinforcements from Betanzos blocked by English soldiers, met by Captain Juan de Varela who led a successful break through the English lines
  • English fleet transports bronze cannons to target Pescadería walls, Spanish galleys Diana and Princesa fail to intercept effectively
  • Spanish galleons San Juan and San Bartolomé engage in fierce artillery duel with English, resulting in heavy damage and abandonment of ships
  • English infantry penetrates city walls after intense fighting, Maria Pita's heroic act boosts defenders' morale
  • English forces launch assault on San Antón fortress, facing resistance and sinking of boats by fortress cannons
  • English forces engage Spanish forces under Count Andrade, facing ambush and heavy losses before securing rear
  • English besiegers attempt incendiary attacks on high town walls, facing strong resistance and eventual retreat towards Lisbon
  • English forces split, with Norris and Dom Antonio landing at Peniche and marching towards Lisbon, while Drake controls Tagus estuary
  • Norris and Dom Antonio face resistance on their march towards Lisbon, with surprise Spanish infiltration causing casualties, while Drake intercepts supplies by sea and prepares for attack on Lisbon.

39:16

"Queen's Challenge Ignored: Failed English Expedition"

  • The Queen's favorite dispatched a message challenging the Spanish to battle, which was ignored by General Fuentes due to his strategic knowledge.
  • General Fuentes ordered the destruction of windmills used by Drake and Norris to produce flour, rendering their wheat inedible.
  • Norris achieved a victory when the garrison at the Castle of Cascais surrendered without a fight due to misinformation spread by two Franciscan friars.
  • Drake and Norris realized their slim chances of breaking through the Iberian encirclement and decided to leave Portugal.
  • Drake's fleet faced a strong Spanish force, leading to a message from Queen Elizabeth chastising him for not attacking the Spanish Armada.
  • The Spanish galleys attacked English vessels, sinking or setting ablaze 5 to 7 ships.
  • A cavalry detachment attacked a garrison at Peniche, resulting in significant losses for the English.
  • Drake's fleet, low on water, landed in Vigo but found the town deserted, leading to an outbreak of destruction.
  • The English Counter-Armada left the Iberian Peninsula on July 5, 1589, after significant losses in men, vessels, and loot.
  • The failed expedition led to a shift in power towards King Philip, highlighting the challenges faced by both nations in conquering each other.

52:03

Spanish Armadas: Failed Invasions of England

  • The 2nd Spanish Armada was ordered by Philip II after the sack of Cadiz, with three objectives: avenge the defeat, distract English resources from Flanders, and support a Catholic insurgency in Ireland led by Count Tyrone.
  • The Spanish coffers were replenished by the annual treasure fleet from the Americas in 1596, allowing for the assembly of a large fleet of 175 ships and 14,000 troops, well-provisioned with supplies like salt pork, cheese, wine, peas, gunpowder, cannonballs, and escudos.
  • The Second Armada was to sail towards Ireland to join forces with Count Tyrone's rebels, establish a foothold, and launch an assault against England, but was hit by a powerful storm near Cape Finisterre on October 28, 1596, leading to the loss of many ships and men.
  • The failure of the Second Armada led to Philip II rebuilding his fleet in Ferrol in 1597, with Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, leading an English and Dutch expedition to intercept the Spanish treasure fleet, known as 'The Islands' Voyage, which ultimately failed.
  • The Third Armada was launched in late summer 1597, led by Martín de Padilla and Juan del Aguila, with 150 vessels, 8,634 soldiers, 4,000 sailors, 2,500 artillery pieces, and 300 horses, aiming to land in Falmouth and march towards London, but was scattered by a hurricane near Cornwall.
  • Philip III planned the Fourth Armada to support the Tyrone Rebellion in Ireland, consisting of 33 vessels and 4,400 troops, led by Admiral Brochero and Don Juan del Aguila, sailing off Corunna on September 2, 1601, but facing a storm near Brittany.
  • The Fourth Armada landed in Kinsale, Ireland, on October 1, 1601, with 3,000 troops under Juan del Aguila, while a smaller force under Alonso de Ocampo landed in Baltimore, with the English forces led by Mountjoy moving to surround and besiege the Spanish in Kinsale.
  • Mountjoy's strategy involved seizing forts around Kinsale, blockading the harbour, and splitting his army into two encampments, reducing Aguila's forces due to disease and preventing him from taking the initiative, leading to a stalemate and a failed attempt to break out.

01:04:54

Siege of Kinsale: Spanish Surrender to English

  • Mountjoy attacks the fort of Ringcurran, initially taken by the English but retaken by Aguila's veterans.
  • Mountjoy offers a surrender to the Spanish, declined, leading to a stalemate due to cold weather and lack of supplies.
  • Aguila attempts a sortie on December 16, breaking the encirclement and causing significant losses to the English.
  • Spanish relief mission led by Zubiaur lands in Ireland, but they are forced to steer towards Castlehaven due to storms.
  • Levison's squadron is dispatched to deal with Zubiaur's landing force, sinking one galleon but unable to retake Castlehaven.
  • Tyrone finally decides to march to Kinsale with 3,000 foot and 400 horse, joining forces with Red Hugh and Spanish troops.
  • Battle of Kinsale occurs on January 3, 1602, with Tyrone's forces facing Mountjoy's cavalry charge and suffering heavy losses.
  • Mountjoy's troops conquer Ringcurran for the second time on January 10, leading to Aguila's surrender on January 12 under lenient conditions.
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