The Invincible Armada

 The Spanish Armada: 

Queen Elizabeth I was the daughter of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn who was born in 1533. Elizabeth was never supposed ascend the throne as she was declared illegitimate by the Roman Catholic Church after the execution of her mother Anne. Moreover, she had an elder brother named Edward VI. Unfortunately, the brother died. Then Elizabeth's half-sister Mary I got the power. However, the throne was passed to Elizabeth since Mary did not have any children. Elizabeth became the queen in 1558 and earned the title "Queen Elizabeth I."

After ascending the throne, Queen Elizabeth became the victim of multiple plots machinated by those who wanted to reestablish Catholicism in England. Queen Elizabeth terminated all the connections with the Roman Catholic Church because this church stained her with the stigma "illegitimate" and she declared Anglicanism as the only religion of England. 

The plots which had been conspired against Elizabeth are: 

1) The  Ridolfi Plot (1571)

2) The Throckmorton Plot (1583)

3) The Babington Plot (1586)

The Ridolfi Plot: 

A person named Roberto Ridolfi, an Italian Banker, planned to assassinate Queen Elizabeth and coronate Mary, the Queen of Scots. He got strong support from King Philip II of Spain, the Duke of Norfolk, and Mary, the Queen of Scots, herself. 

Consequence of the plot: 

The conspiracy was unfolded by Elizabeth's advisor Cecil. Ridolfi and the Spanish ambassador were arrested and expelled from the country and the Duke of Norfolk was executed. 

The Throckmorton Plot: 

 A young Catholic man Francis Throckmorton devised a plan for the French army so that England could be invaded and defeated and Elizabeth could be slain. He, too, wanted Mary to ascend the throne of England. He was paid by the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and King Philip II. 

Consequence of the plot: 

Throckmorton was executed and Mary was moved to Tutbury Castle in Staffordshire where she was held in isolation and no visitors were allowed. 

The Babington Plot: 

Sir Anthony Babington made a plan to rescue Mary from the captivity and murder Elizabeth. Secret letters among the plotters and Mary were discovered which gave the evidence needed to prove Mary's guilt. 

Consequence of the Plot:

This plot finally led to the execution of Mary, Babington, and the other six plotters. 

The Invincible Armada/ The Greatest Naval War in the History: 

The Spanish Armada is also known as 'The Invincible Armada'  because it was a huge fleet of 130 ships, 8000 seaman, 18,000 soldiers, and loads of guns, cannons, and ammunitions. Among the 130 ships, 40 ships were warships. The whole plan of this operation was devised by the Spanish King Philip II after the fiasco of Ridolfi plot, Throckmorton plot, and Babington plot. It is also notable that the unstoppable piracy of gems, jewels, expensive materials, and spices by the English pirates from the Spanish ships under the privateer Francis Drake also triggered Philip II's revengeful motive against England. Queen Elizabeth did not take any step against the pirates. Rather, she encouraged this action of piracy. That's why, the Spanish Armada was prepared to dethrone Elizabeth and kill her. It is the greatest sea battle in the history of England. 

The Armada and the strategies as well as activities of preparing it were so huge that King Philip II could not keep it secret. It was led by the Duke of Parma. 

Elizabeth came to know that a big machination is being plotted against her. through her spies. She sent Francis Drake with a small fleet to make a surprise attack to the armada and damage its ships and supplies,  Drake did it successfully on the Spanish port of Cadiz. This attack delayed the journey of the Armada. Elizabeth got some time to prepare her own journey. 

Elizabeth's forces built trenches and earthworks on the most likely invasion beaches, strung a giant metal chain across the Thames estuary, and raised an army of militiamen. Coastal beacons were prepared to light fire as an early warning sign to signal the approach of the Armada. 

An English fleet was prepared with 40 warships, dozens of armed merchant vessels, long-ranged naval guns, and cannons. It was led by Francis Drake and Charles Howard.

The Armada started its journey in 1588 from Lisbon under the command of the Duke of Media-Sidonia. The English fleet and the armada first met on the port of Plymouth. Seeing the condition, Drake and Howard kept distance and tried to damage the Spanish warships and weapons with their cannons. But they were unable to penetrate the Armada's half-moon defensive formation. For the next few days, the English fleet continuously harassed the Armada as it progressed towards the English channel by their arms and weapons. Duels continued, but they ended in stalemates. 

Then the English planned to destroy the Armada secretly. Therefore, they set ablaze some empty vessels and let them be guided by the wind to reach the Armada and burst near the Armada. This incident created a wave of panic and destruction. 

The Battle of Gravelines: 

The sudden attack of the fire vessels paved the way for the English to initiate the 'Battle of Grevelines' where the English constantly damaged the Spanish ships, soldiers, and ammunitions through the repeated salvos of cannon fire. Therefore, the English fleet came very close to Armada. 

The Speech at Tilbury: 

My loving people,

We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety to take heed how we commit ourselves 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 and 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.

Queen Elizabeth gave this speech to motivate her soldiers. She, herself, came to the battlefield wearing military regalia. 

Bad weather created obstacles and diseases spread soon after the 'Battle of Gravelines'. Spanish soldiers died, supplies were low and the Duke of Medina-Sidonia abandoned the invasion mission. 'The Invincible Armada' was ravaged by sea storms. Several ships were sunk. 

Result of the battle: 

England won.