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England’s Resistance to the Spanish Armada

This article is a part of all information about the Spanish Armada. Here is the complete list.

How was Spain before sailing of Armada?

How was Prince Phillip? What was his policy?

When did the Spanish armada sail?

When did England know about Armada?

How was the early fight between the Spanish and the English?

How did the battle with Spanish armada progress?

How did the Dutch help in fight with Spanish Armada?

How was the Chase, fire and final countdown?

How was England’s resistance against the armada?

What was the significance of British defeating the Spanish armada?

The Historic Resistance

Contents

The Invincible Armada of Spain was given a very brave fight by the English. The English Naval Fleet under the command and leadership of Lord Charles Howard and Sir Francis Drake was strong and powerful. The English resisted the Spanish Armada and finally succeeded in defeating it. The battle was definitely one of the most historic naval wars in the history of English Literature.

 

The resistance of the English naval base
The English Naval fleet

Planned and  Concerted Efforts

Howard and Drake were aware that a large fleet of Spanish ships had left the coast and was heading towards the passage of English channel towards England, to make an invasion. The Armada was expected to reach the Southern Shore of England. This was a very anxious time for England and there was full tension as England was not completely ready for the attack. However, England was fully supported by the bad and tumultuous weather conditions which gave them ample time for preparations. England then started its preparation to resist the invasion.

Arms and Armaments

Because England got sufficient time to build its naval base, stock arms and add heavy ballistic armaments, they took full advantage of it.  They also added army men and did everything they could to resist the Spanish Attack.  Gradually, the English naval base was becoming a match for the Great and Invincible Armada. In fact, The English Base outnumbered the Spanish fleet. England was well supported by the weather, her countrymen, her army and even the popes blessed the navy and called it The Enterprise of England. The Spanish Armada was supposed to invade in 1587 itself, under the leadership of Phillip II who was desperate to take revenge. However, this was delayed by Sir Francis Drake’s raid on the Spanish supplies and resources on the port of Cadiz. This was frustrating for Spain as the invasion got delayed and this also gave a lot of time to England to plan the resistance.

Port of Cadiz - Drake's attack
Sir Francis Drake made a surprise attack

 

 

The Battle and Collision

On July 21st The English army began throwing miles from a seven miles distance on the Spanish Armada. The English were supported by the weather gods and the Spanish ships were disturbed by storms and bad weather. Their supplies were also ending. At this juncture, they thought of retreating but to no avail. They had to divert their route. This gave England a big boost and they kept attacking the Spanish ships with full force and bombarded many of them. Gradually, the So-called Invincible Armada started dwindling in numbers and they understood that they were having a tough time and were given a very strong resistance by England.

The Spanish Armada
The mass destruction during the collision

 

The Damage was done

By this time, the Spanish Armada had suffered huge losses. The English ships were facing victory and they were keen on finishing the Spanish Supplies. With very little leftover food, supplies and resources, The Spanish Armada started to taste defeat. This was a huge setback for Phillip II who had planned a very big attack.

The Great Spanish Armada which was so strong and omnipotent was assumed to be undefeatable and omnipotent. However, the strong resistance and brave front by England and their concerted efforts won them a  laudable victory. This was a very big achievement for the English naval base. This popular victory added another feather in Queen Elizabeth’s cap. She was now called the Queen of Queens who took England to the path of unprecedented power, strength and affluence. By this time, England was considered to be the Strongest European power who had amassed wealth, arms, huge ships and more than 30,000 army men. This defeat made England a world power and they now became the owner of big weapons and ammunition. This also marks the beginning of England’s influence. This episode is seen as one of the biggest naval wars in the history of English Literature.

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