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Early Elizabethan England, 1558–88

The Armada, 1588

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 2 booklet B

Overview

Philip's invasion plan, Medina Sidonia, the crescent formation, the fireships at Calais, the flight around Scotland, English ship design and gunnery, the flaw in the plan, the weather and rotten supplies.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Evaluation

Who commanded the Spanish fleet, and why was that a weakness?

Key term

What formation did the Spanish adopt as they came up the Channel?

Key term

What happened to the Spanish fleet after the fighting off Gravelines?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What was Philip II’s plan for invading England in 1588?

    Model answer

    His fleet would sail up the Channel, join the Duke of Parma’s army in the Netherlands and ferry it across to Kent.

  2. 2

    Who commanded the Spanish fleet, and why was that a weakness?

    Model answer

    The Duke of Medina Sidonia, appointed after the intended admiral died, was a capable organiser with no experience of commanding at sea.

  3. 3

    What formation did the Spanish adopt as they came up the Channel?

    Model answer

    A tight crescent, with the fighting ships on the outside shielding the transports and supply vessels inside.

  4. 4

    How did the English break that formation at Calais?

    Model answer

    They floated blazing fireships into the anchored fleet at night, so the Spanish cut their cables and scattered.

  5. 5

    What happened to the Spanish fleet after the fighting off Gravelines?

    Model answer

    The wind drove it north, forcing it home around Scotland and Ireland, where storms wrecked many of its ships.

  6. 6

    How did English ship design help win the campaign?

    Model answer

    English vessels sat lower, sailed faster and turned more easily, so they could fire and pull clear before the Spanish closed in.

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AThe huge loss of life left England short of workers.
BForeign craftsmen and labourers were wanted.
CCompetition for work also bred resentment.

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Strategy means the plan for a whole campaign.
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