Why Did The Spanish Armada Lose To England?
nd
In 1588 , a war was declared upon England by the Spanish Phillip 2 . This
declaration was made following the execution of the catholic sister of Queen
Elizabeth , Mary Of Scott’s , and the surfacing of ‘The Babington Plot’ in the
eyes of the Spanish . The execution , at the time , had diminished the Catholic
threat to the throne.
However , The Spanish were still eager for any chance to kill Elizabeth and
restore England to its Catholic roots , as well as to depleate a powerful and
strong trading enemy .They were given this chance when it was made clear
that Sir Francis Walsingham had been intercepting messages to and from
Mary , whilst she was under imprisonment , in order to frame her . The
Spanish declared a surprise war on England , however , they were defeated
for the following reasons :
Firstly , the English had an upper hand in any dog fights or skirmishes . This is
due to the fact that , although the Spanish fleets overwhelmed the opposition
in numbers( 130 war ships to a total of around 60 ) , the English ships were
smaller , faster and much easier to control .This meant they could fire against
the opposition , using fast , concise cannons with all the same size cannon ball ,
and manoeuvre themselves out of sight , before the Spanish could retaliate .
Also , it was stated , that the Spanish did not have the correct cannon balls to fit
their cannons , causing them to cease fire .
Secondly , the English had cunning , adaptable tactics ,that could be used at
anytime in battle , such as the `Hell Burner’ , which consisted of setting one of
their own , worthless , ships alight and setting its course among the Spanish
borders . This strategy was used to force the opposition to retreat under the
threat of fire to their own ships .
Thirdly , The Spanish did not believe that Elizabeth could conjure a strong
enough fleet , under the time given , to match their own . Therefore , they
came unprepared and ill equipped , for the fight England upheld . Their big ,
slow ways of damage were little match for the fast , agile cannons and
weaponry England had equipped .
Furthermore , The Spanish expected to have the advantage in battle as they
gave the English little time to prepare . They underestimated the army , the
speed of the English ships , and the degree of bravery and loyalty of the
English sailors towards their queen and country .
Fourthly , the surroundings and natural features, at the time, were very much
in favour of England . The wind , during contact with the Spaniards , proved a
very high factor to the victory of the English , as it forced the opposing ships
onto the rocky shores , rendering them either sunken or blown apart .
My final point is that England was under the firm reign of Queen Elizabeth
during the attack . Elizabeth was an extremely powerful and inspirational ruler ,
th
and on the 8 of August , at hills of Tilbury , she produced the first recorded
speech on document , from a ruler ,to their followers . During the speech , she
stated ‘I know I have but the body of a weak and feeble woman ; but I have
the heart and stomach of a king , and of a loyal king too….’ , The speech was
very powerful and inspired the sailors to believe that they could reign victorious
, despite the overwhelming odds .
In conclusion, and in consideration of the above , the single most significant
factor contributing to the defeat of the Spanish Armada , was their far less
sophisticated fleet of ships , which were by far inferior to the English . They
were larger , heavier , difficult to manoeuvre and unable to respond , with any
speed , to the strategic tactics employed by the English fleet .