Broadwater
KS3 History
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The main reason for the defeat of the Armada was the skill of the English sailors.”
Use the information below to say if you agree with this statement.
Cut out and sort the story into the correct order. Use this plan to help you to write your answer.
Introduction: The Armada was defeated because of the skill of the English
sailors, but also because of other reasons, like bad luck for the Spanish.
Paragraph 1: Write about how the skill of the English sailors defeated the Armada.
Paragraphs 2 and 3: Write about how bad luck before and during the Armada led to its defeat.
Conclusion: Write out your final judgement about the main reason for the defeat of the Armada.
9. The English attacked the Armada with fire ships when it was at anchor.
The fire ships were filled with barrels of tar and caused panic among the Spanish. Not a single vessel was destroyed by fire, but the Armada was scattered.
3. Philip was forced to buy poor supplies from merchants who were more
interested in profit than victory. The Armada sailed with poor food, weak
timbers and rotten ropes.
7. Once the fleet set sail again they had the bad luck to run into a fast sailing
boat heading for England. The English had advanced warning of the approach
of the Armada.
Sir Francis Drake
6. Bad Luck. The Armada is struck by an unexpected summer storm. Rotten
ropes snapped, weak timbers cracked and the whole fleet was scattered about
the Atlantic Ocean. No ships were lost, but the crews had a rotten time, before
creeping back to Spain for repairs.
2. The “singeing of the King of Spain’s beard. Sir Francis Drake attacks
Cadiz, where the Armada is being fitted out and burnt many of the Spanish
supply ships. Later, his ships capture many of the supply boats that were
heading for Cadiz.
Duke of Medina Sidonia
8. Once it was in the English Channel, the English engaged it in a running
fight, chasing it up the Channel. The Armada’s half-moon formation proved
impregnable.
5. In early 1588, the Admiral in charge of the Armada died. Philip forced the elderly and inexperienced
Duke of Medina Sidonia to take command. The Duke begged to be let off, knew nothing about the sea
and was seasick as soon as the ships left harbour.
1. The Duke of Parma, was to wait with the huge Spanish Army in Belgium. Once the Armada had
carried the 30,000 soldiers to Kent, they would be joined by 25,000 Catholic English, who wanted to
get rid of Queen Elizabeth.
4. In the early months of 1588, nearly half of the troops in
Belgium died of disease.
10. he English were able to attack and inflict heavy damage
on the scattered Armada. When a storm broke out the
English headed for port, but the Armada had to run before
the storm, hoping to sail around Scotland.