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==Introduction==The defeat and destruction of the Spanish Armada (in 1588 is are seen by many as the high point of Elizabeth I’s of England’s reign. If the Armada had been successful then , it could have changed the course of English and indeed, world history. The defeat of the Armada was to have had profound consequences for England. The first consequence of the English victory was that it secured the its independence of that kingdom. The defeat of the Armada led to England becoming a naval power and this was to prove important in the foundation of the future British Empire. As a result of the failed invasion, by Catholic Spain, England became more self-consciously Protestant and, Catholicism became very unpopular and seen as anti-English. The defeat of the Armada was an act of divine providence and it confirmed the opinion of many that England was a kingdom destined for greatness and this was to play a very important role in English national identity for many centuries. [[File: Armada 4.jpg|200px|thumb|left| A contemporary painting of the Armada]]

==Background==In With the sixteenth century, Europe was divided into two mutually hostile religious groups. The North defeat of Europe was dominated by Protestantism and the south was mainly Catholic. Armada, England had become becomes a Protestant realm by the mid-sixteenth century, but this serious European naval power. Britain's navy was opposed by many Catholics. Contrary to popular belief, Catholicism had been popular in England before the Reformation and many people still sympathized with what they called the ‘old religion’ <ref> Duffy, E. Stripping foundation of the Altars (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2000), p. 113</ref>future British Empire. Queen Elizabeth, I initially pursued As a moderate religious policy to minimize religious conflict between Catholic and Protestant. However, Elizabeth soon found herself under pressure from result of the great failed invasion by Catholic power of the time, Spain. It was the dominant Catholic power in Europe because of its vast territories in Europe and the Americas. The Spanish King Phillip II was an ardent Catholic and he had two ambitions, the first was to return the Protestants to the Catholic faith and to expand the power of Spain. The Spanish King had been married to Mary I of England became more self-consciously Protestant, and it seemed that for a time that England would become part of the Spanish dominions. However, the coronation of Elizabeth I had changed all of this Catholicism became increasingly unpopular and she was determined on a policy of independence from Spain. Spain wanted to force the English back into the Catholic fold and to end the attacks of English pirates on their shipping and colonies in the Americas. Elizabeth, I had encouraged viewed as anti-English privateers, such as Sir Francis Drake to mount attacks on Spanish targets. Elizabeth sought to limit the power of Spain and to secure some of the riches ‘of the America colonies for her subjects’ <ref> Holmes, Richard. The Oxford Companion to Military History (Oxford, Oxford University Press. 2001), p. 214</ref>. The English Queen also supported saw the Dutch in their revolt against Phillip II. Relations between Spain and England began to deteriorate and by defeat of the mid-1580s the two countries were in Armada as an undeclared war, that was to last the rest act of Elizabeth’s reigndivine providence. Spain was the richest and the most powerful Empire in Europe and Phillip decided It confirmed to them that he would invade England, believing that if he was successful it would help him to secure many of his strategic objectives in Europe. The Spanish presented the Armada as a Catholic crusade and it was partially funded by the Papacykingdom destined for greatness.

== Why did Spain send the Spanish Armada to invade England? ==[[File: Armada 3.jpg|200px150px|thumbthumbnail|left|King Phillip II of Spain-mortal enemy of Elizabeth I]]In the sixteenth century, Europe was divided into two mutually hostile religious groups. Protestants' regimes dominated northern Europe, and the south was mainly Catholic. England had become an increasing Protestant state in the mid-sixteenth century. Contrary to popular belief, Catholicism had been popular in England before the Reformation, and many people still sympathized with what they called the ‘old religion.’<ref> Duffy, E. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0300108281/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0300108281&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=b06f0eb9358da3a5da4c6146421bcff6 Stripping of the Altars]</i> (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2000), p. 113</ref> Queen Elizabeth the First initially pursued a moderate religious policy to minimize religious conflict between Catholic and Protestant. However, Elizabeth soon found herself under pressure from Spain - the preeminent Catholic power in the world. Spain's influence reaches stretched across Europe and into the Americas.

==The Spanish Armada==The launch of the Armada King Phillip II was an ardent Catholic, and he had been delayed several timestwo primary ambitions. First, including once because he wanted to return all Protestants to the Catholic faith. Second, he hoped to expand the growing power of a raid by the English on CadizSpain. The Spanish Armada was a fleet King had been married to Mary I of 130 ships England, and it first left the port of Coruna in August 1588, seemed that England would fall under the command of the Duke of Medina SidoniaSpanish influence for a time. However, the most powerful noble in Elizabeth I's coronation had fundamentally altered this dynamic because she was determined to maintain England's independence from Spain<ref> Holmes, p. 215</ref>. The fleet was ordered to sail to On the other hand, Spain wanted to force the English Channel and transport a large army in Flanders back into England. The aim of the invasion was to depose Elizabeth I Catholic fold and to reimpose Catholicism on end the English people. The fleet was an impressive one pirates' attacks on their ships and colonies in the Spanish were experienced, sailors and navigatorsAmericas. However Elizabeth, I had encouraged English privateers, such as Sir Francis Drake, the commander Medina-Sidonia was old and relatively inexperienced and he was to commit mistake after mistakemount attacks on Spanish targets. The Spanish fleet despite its numerical advantage did not attack Elizabeth sought to limit Spain's power and secure some of the riches ‘of the English fleet based at Portsmouth and instead sailed to Calaisamerican colonies for her subjects. The Spanish army under the Duke of Parma was advancing to Calais to be transported to England’<ref> Holmes, Richard. <i>[https://www.amazon. However, the English navy under Drake and Howard attacked the Armada with fireshipscom/gp/product/0198662092/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0198662092&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=94311aba3c2131eec83402c57e9f3338 The Oxford Companion to Military History]</i> (Oxford, and this was the start of what became known as the Battle of Grave linesOxford University Press. 2001), p. 214</ref> The English tactic of using fire-ships, created panic among Queen also supported the Spaniards Dutch in their revolt against Phillip II. Relations between Spain and England deteriorated rapidly, and by the mid-1580s, the fleet was broken up into small groups of shipstwo countries were in an undeclared war. The battle A war that was to last over a week with both sides launching attacksuntil the end of Elizabeth’s reign. HoweverSpain was the richest and the most powerful Empire in Europe, Medina-Sidonia and Phillip decided to withdraw and this was decisive as invade England. He believed that it meant that the would help him secure many of Europe's strategic objectives if he were successful. The Spanish army was unable to rendezvous with presented the invasion army. Drake Armada as a Catholic crusade, and the other English commanders were happy to let Papacy partially funded it. == How did England defeat the Spanish Armada sail away from the invasion force? ==[[File: Armada 4. Then a strong wind from jpg|350px|thumbnail|left| A contemporary painting of the southwest forced the fleet to sail to Armada]]The Armada launch had been delayed several times, including once because of a raid by the north English on Cadiz. The Spanish Armada was a fleet of 130 ships, and into it first left the North Sea. port of Coruna in August 1588, under the Duke of Medina-Sidonia could regroup his ships and decided to withdraw to Spain and , the attempt to invade England was overmost powerful noble in Spain. Now the Armada sought only to survive and return to Spain<ref> Holmes, p. 215</ref> The inclement weather and a strong south-western meant that the Spanish could not return via fleet was ordered to sail to the English Channel and this wind became known transport a large army in Flanders into England as a ‘Protestant Wind’ <ref>McDermott. The invasion aimed to depose Elizabeth I and to reimpose Catholicism on the English people. The fleet was impressive, James. England and the Spanish Armada: The Necessary Quarrelwere experienced, sailors and navigators. New HavenHowever, CT: Yale University Pressthe commander Medina-Sidonia was old and relatively inexperienced, 2005), P. 215</ref>and he committed mistake after mistake throughout the campaign. The  Despite its numerical advantage, the Spanish Command, which could fleet did not communicate with Madrid decided to round attack the British IslesEnglish fleet based at Portsmouth and instead sailed to Calais. The Armada sailed around Scotland but all Spanish army under the while Duke of Parma was harried by advancing to Calais to be transported to England. However, the English fleet. The weather navy under Drake and Howard attacked the Armada with fireships, and this was very unseasonable for that time the start of years and what became known as the fleet Battle of Phillip II was battered by gales and stormsGrave lines. As The English tactic of using fire-ships created panic among the Armada made their way around Scotland Spaniards, and the suffered many lossesfleet was broken up into small groups of ships. Many more ships were wrecked on the west coast of Ireland and the survivors were hunted down and killed by natives loyal The battle lasted over a week, with both sides launching attacks. However, Medina-Sidonia decided to the English crown <ref>Twithdraw. P. Kilfeather Ireland: Graveyard of This decision was decisive as it meant that the Spanish Armada (Anvil Books, 1967), parmy could not rendezvous with the invasion army. 167</ref>. By Drake and the time that other English commanders were happy to let the remnants of Armada sail away from the Spanish invasion fleet made it to Spain over two-thirds of force. A strong wind from the original Armada had been lost. The undeclared Anglo-Spanish War did not end with southwest forced the defeat of fleet to sail to the Armada but was to continue until 1604 north and ended in a stalemateinto the North Sea.  ==England’s salvationHow was the Spanish Armada destroyed? ==The Spanish Armada is one of Medina-Sidonia tried to regroup his ships and withdraw to Spain. This ended Spain's attempt to invade England, but it did not end the great ‘ifs’ in historyArmada's problems. If At this point, the Spanish ships had been able Armada sought only to rendezvous with the army of Flanders survive and transported it across the Channelreturn to Spain. Unfortunately, then it is quite likely inclement weather and a strong south-western wind meant that England would have been defeated. The the Spanish army was considered to be could not return via the best English Channel. This wind later became known in Europe at this time and it was composed not only of Spanish veterans but also German veteransEngland as a ‘Protestant Wind. The English army was mainly composed of local militias and was poorly led and trained’<ref>McDermott, James. <i>[https://www.amazon. In a set piece battle, on land, it seems likely that com/gp/product/030010698X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=030010698X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=f473dc1cecf6852131ce8bd6e86de229 England and the Spanish would have overcome the English and deposed Elizabeth I. Armada: The kingdom of England would have become part of the Spanish EmpireNecessary Quarrel]</i>. Phillip II did not plan to rule it directly but planned (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2005), P. 215</ref>  The Spanish Command, which could not communicate with Madrid, decided to place a Catholic on round the throne and they would have been British Isles. The Armada sailed around Scotland, but the ally and dependent of English navy continued to harry the Spanishfleet. The defeat weather was very unseasonable for that time of the Armada prevented this from happening year, and it secured the independence of England strong gales and allowed her to become a world power by massive storms battered Phillip's fleet. As the eighteenth century<ref> HolmesArmada made their way around Scotland, pthey began to lose ships. 257</ref>. ==The Armada Many more ships were wrecked on the west coast of Ireland, and the survivors were hunted down and Religion==Phillip II wanted killed by natives loyal to return England to Catholicismthe English crown. If the Armada had been successful then it seems likely that a Catholic king or queen would have been placed on the throne<ref>T. P. Kilfeather. They would have had the power to overturn the Protestant establishment in the country<i>[https://www.amazon. No longer would the Church of England be com/gp/product/B0013K2KD6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0013K2KD6&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=a486270d446af7bb1840eb37dd11d649 Ireland: Graveyard of the state church and once again the Catholic Church would have been Spanish Armada]</i> (Anvil Books, 1967), p. 167</ref> By the time that the only recognized religion in remnants of the realm. Phillip II believed that Spanish invasion fleet made it was right for a monarch to ensure religious conformity in their kingdomto Spain, over two-thirds of the original Armada was lost. It seems most likely that While the new Catholic monarch Spanish Armada's defeat did not end the undeclared Anglo-Spanish War, which would have persecuted Protestants in much continue until 1604, it made it difficult for Spain to get the same way as Mary I had during her reign. Now while Catholicism would have been made upper hand. Eventually, the state religion this would not have seen the end of Protestantism conflict ended in Englanda stalemate. By the 1580s the Church of England was supported by most English people and they would  == Could Spain have resisted any attempt to reimpose the Catholic faith. It seems likely that taken England would have suffered a series it had successfully landed its invasion force? ==The Spanish Armada is one of Religious Wars similar to France the great ‘ifs’ in history. If the sixteenth century. HoweverSpanish ships had been able to rendezvous with Flanders' army and transported it across the Channel, the failure of the Armada meant that the Church of England may have been defeated. The Spanish army was now more secure than ever before. Increasinglyconsidered the best in Europe at this time, the English people began to see themselves as a Protestant people. They saw Protestantism as an integral part and it was composed not only of Englishness and important for their freedomSpanish but also German veterans. Many The English people became even more anti-Catholic after the Armada. ‘Popery’ as they referred to Catholicism army was mainly composed of local militias and was associated with autocracy, intolerance, poorly led and slaverytrained. This antiIn a set-Catholicism was an important aspect of English political life for many years <ref>Bridgen, Susan. New Worldspiece battle, Lost Worlds: The Rule of the Tudors, 1485–1603Spanish forces would most likely have been victorious and deposed Elizabeth I on land. New York, NY: Viking Penguin, 2001), p. 115</ref> It is arguable that  The kingdom of England would have become part of the main losers in the Armada apart from all those who died in the conflict were English CatholicsSpanish Empire. After the Armada, Catholics known as ‘recusants’ because they refused Phillip II did not plan to recognize the Church of England came under official and unofficial pressure to conform rule it directly but planned to place a Catholic on the state religion<ref> Bridgen, pthrone. 234</ref>Philip wanted an ally that would become dependent on Spain. Even loyal Catholics became suspect The defeat of the Armada prevented this from happening and as a result, more and Catholics converted to Protestantism. By secured the end independence of the reign of Elizabeth, England was . England's victory allowed her to become a Protestant nationmajor world power by the eighteenth century.<ref> Holmes, with only a small and oppressed Catholic minorityp. The Armada had played an important role 257</ref>  <dh-ad/> == What impact did the defeat of the Spanish Armada have on Catholics in this process. England? ==Phillip II had attempted wanted to overturn the religious settlement in return England but his attempted invasion only strengthened itto Catholicism. The people of England began to see themselves If the Armada had been successful, then it seems likely that a Catholic king or queen would have been placed on the throne. They would have had the power to overturn the Protestant establishment in providential terms and in biblical terms as an ‘elect nation’ <ref> Krishan Kumarthe country. The making No longer would the Church of English national identity (CambridgeEngland by the state church, Cambridge University Pressand once again, 2003), pthe Catholic Church would have been the only recognized religion. 45</ref>. They  Phillip II believed that they were chosen by God it was right for a monarch to carry out his will and this gave them a ensure religious conformity in their kingdom. The new-found confidence. This sense of mission was one that was very important in later decades and was an important factor Catholic monarch probably would have persecuted Protestants in much the growth of English power, especially same way as Mary I had during her reign. With Catholicism re-established, this could have hobbled Protestantism in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuryEngland. [[File: Armada 2.jpg|200px|thumb|left|By the 1580s, the Church of England was supported by most English fireships attacking Spanish vessels at people, and they would have resisted any attempt to reimpose the Battle of Grevellines]]==Catholic faith. Still, England as would likely have suffered a naval power==It has often been stated that the defeat series of Religious Wars similar to France in the Armada ended sixteenth century. However, the Spanish superiority at sea and was Armada's failure meant that the beginning Church of England’s rise as a global naval power. This England was not the casenow more secure than ever before. The year following the defeat of the Spanish Armada Increasingly, the English monarch launched the ‘English Armada’ <ref>Bridgen, ppeople began to see themselves as Protestant people. 135</ref>They saw Protestantism as an integral part of Englishness and important for their freedom. This was a naval attack on Spain but it was heavily defeated with great Many English lossespeople became even more anti-Catholic after the Armada. ‘Popery’ as they referred to as Catholicism, was associated with autocracy, intolerance, and slavery. Madrid changed its strategy and a series This anti-Catholicism was an important aspect of fortifications were built in the Americas that gave greater protection against English and other privateerspolitical life for many years. The fact remains that Spain after the defeat of the Armada remained the premier maritime power outside China<ref>Bridgen, Susan. However, the defeat of the Armada did lead to long<i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0142001252/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0142001252&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-term changes that were to prove very important in the rise of England as a naval power. There was a recognition20&linkId=128a402be47987e0bd3742b14adafb3d New Worlds, after Lost Worlds: The Rule of the attempted Spanish invasion that the English needed a strong navy and successive English administrations pursued policies that helped to expand the navy and develop new technologies and ‘modern shipyards’ <ref>HolmesTudors, 1485–1603]</i>. New York, pNY: Viking Penguin, 2001), p. 217115</ref>. As a result  On the other hand, English Catholics faced an increasingly difficult life in the wake of England after the Armada's destruction. Catholics, known as ‘recusants, ’ refused to recognize the kingdom became an important naval powerChurch of England. If They came under official and unofficial pressure to conform to the Spanish Armada had been a success then it seems likely that the English would not have been able to successfully plant colonies in North Americastate religion and give up their faith. In the early seventeenth century<ref> Bridgen, English colonies were found at Plymouth Rock p. 234</ref> Even loyal English Catholics became suspect, and as a result, more and JamestownCatholics converted to Protestantism. If  By the Spanish had placed one of their candidates on the throne end of Elizabeth's reign, England then this may never have occurred. The defeat of the was a Protestant nation, with only a small oppressed Catholic minority. The Armada saw England emerge as, if not a dominant naval power but had played an important one, that role in this process. Phillip II had the means attempted to establish colonies and to trading companies such as overturn the East India Company<ref>Holmesreligious settlement in England, pbut his attempted invasion only strengthened it. 256 England's people began to see themselves in providential terms and biblical terms as an ‘elect nation.’ </ref>Krishan Kumar. <i>[https://www. Its naval capability was in the longamazon.com/gp/product/0521777364/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0521777364&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-term to directly to lead to the growth and development 20&linkId=40a0da3a27c0edae7a7be1c813dd2ca4 The Making of the British EmpireEnglish national identity]</i> (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2003), p. [[File: Armada One.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Sir Francis Drake]]==Conclusion==The defeat of the Armada 45</ref> The English began to believe that they were chosen by God to carry out his will. This sense of mission was crucial in later decades and was a major turning point an important factor in English history. It saved the throne growth of Elizabeth I and guaranteed English independence from Spain. The Spanish saw power, especially in the invasion as a crusade seventeenth and one that would stamp out eighteenth centuries. == Did the heresy defeat of Protestantism in the Spanish Armada turn Englandinto a naval power? ==[[File: Armada One. The failure of the invasion meant that Protestantism became more entrenched and less sympathetic to Catholicism. Indeed, in the aftermath of jpg|250px|thumbnail|left|Sir Francis Drake]]It has often been stated that the Armada, Protestantism became part of 's defeat ended the national identitySpanish superiority at sea and began England’s rise as a global naval power. To be English This was to be a Protestant and to reject Catholicismnot the case. The attempted year following the Spanish invasion led to adoption of an anti-Catholic discourseArmada defeat, known as Popery and this was an important factor in the English political life for over two centuriesmonarch launched the ‘English Armada.’<ref>Bridgen, p. The Armada did not end Spanish maritime supremacy but it did lead to England becoming 135</ref>  This was a naval powerattack on Spain was heavily defeated with substantial English losses. This allowed it to found colonies Madrid changed its strategy, and trading companies a series of fortifications were built in the early seventeenth century Americas that were to lay gave greater protection against English and other privateers. Spain, after the defeat of the foundation for Armada, remained the British Empirepremier maritime power outside China. However, the Armada defeat did lead to long-term changes that proved to be very important in England's rise as a naval power. After the attempted Spanish invasion, there was a recognition that the English needed a strong navy, and successive English administrations pursued policies that helped to expand the navy. England focused on developing new technologies and building ‘modern shipyards.’ <ref>Holmes, p. 217</ref> These changes laid the groundwork for England's naval power.  Additionally, if the Spanish Armada had been a success, it is improbable that England would have successfully plant colonies in North America. In the early seventeenth century, English colonies were founded at Plymouth Rock and Jamestown. If the Spanish had placed one of their candidates on England's throne, this might never have occurred. The Armada's defeat saw England emerge as, if not a dominant naval power but an important one, and the principal colonizer of North America. Additionally, English trading companies such as the East India Company expanded across the globe.<ref>Holmes, p. 256</ref> England's naval capability directly led to the British Empire's growth and development. == Conclusion ==The defeat of the Armada was a major turning point in English history. It saved the throne of Elizabeth I and guaranteed English independence from Spain. The Spanish saw the invasion as a crusade and one that would stamp out the heresy of Protestantism in England. The failure of the invasion meant that Protestantism became more entrenched and less sympathetic to Catholicism. Indeed, in the aftermath of the Armada, Protestantism became part of the national identity. To be English was to be a Protestant and to reject Catholicism.  The attempted Spanish invasion led to the adoption of an anti-Catholic discourse, known as Popery, and this was an important factor in English political life for over two centuries. The Armada did not end Spanish maritime supremacy, but it did lead to England becoming a formidable naval power. This allowed it to found colonies and trading companies in the early seventeenth century to lay the British Empire's foundation. ====References====<references/><div class="portal" style='float:left; width:35%'>====Related DailyHistory.org Articles====*[[What was the impact of the German Peasant War (1524-1527) on the Reformation?]]*[[Top 10 Books on the origins of the Italian Renaissance]]*[[How did the Renaissance influence the Reformation?]]*[[What were the causes of the Northern Renaissance?]]*[[Why did the Reformation fail in Renaissance Italy?]]</div>[[Category:British History]][[Category:16th Century History]][[Category:European History]][[Category:16th Century History]][[Category:Religious History]][[Category:Wikis]][[Category:English History]][[Category:History of Elizabethan Age]]{{Contributors}}