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The year of the Spanish Armada and the return to our story of Sir Francis Drake.
In 1585 England signed a treaty with the people of Antwerp saying they would help them against Philip of Spain. Philip II considered this an act of
war by England and since he also didn’t really like all his gold being stolen, he decided to invade England.
It took him a while to get organised, like 3 years, but in 1588 he
sent out an armada of ships, about 130. They were to stop off in Flanders, pick up a large army, and then land the army in England. Part one went well and despite
a few skirmishes, they anchored just off shore near Calais and waited for the army.
But the English, under Drake, were a bit sneaky and that night sent 6 fire ships, old galleons, coated in pitch and set on fire, which floated toward
the Spanish fleet. The Spanish panicked, cut their anchors and set off north without the army. The British followed, there were several battles but the thing that
really defeated the Spanish was that during their journey home around the north of Britain and close to Ireland, they encountered a severe storm. It is said that
outside Newcastle crews of ships were throwing mules and horses overboard to lighten the load. Only about 50 Spanish ships returned home, 20,000 Spaniards lost
their lives, the army in Flanders was never transported, and the threat of invasion was gone. The English celebrated their victory with a medal inscribed with the
words 'God Blew and they were Scattered'.
Before the Armada was defeated it is said that Elizabeth made a speech to her soldiers who were gathered at Tilbury just outside London. This is it.
My loving people
We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit our selves to armed multitudes, for fear of treachery; but
I assure you I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people. Let tyrants fear. I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed
my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects; and therefore I am come amongst you, as you see, at this time, not for my
recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live and die amongst you all; to lay down for my God, and for my kingdom,
and my people, my honour and my blood, even in the dust.
I know I have the body of a weak, feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too, and think foul scorn that
Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm; to which rather than any dishonour shall grow by me, I myself will take
up arms, I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field.
I know already, for your forwardness you have deserved rewards and crowns; and We do assure you on a word of a prince, they shall be duly paid. In
the mean time, my lieutenant general shall be in my stead, than whom never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject; not doubting but by your obedience to
my general, by your concord in the camp, and your valour in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over these enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of
my people.
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