Stater V. The Political History of Tudor and Stuart England: A Sourcebook

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(I say) him compelled to such infelicity, that he thought then to do him best

service, when he hastened his end. Some cried out of the fortune, to see his

endeavour (who most dearly loved him, and sought his release) turn to his

greater vexation and increase of pain. But whoso considered their preferments

in time past, the places of honour that they some time occupied in this com-

monwealth, the favour they were in with their princes, and the opinion of

learning they had in the university where they studied, could not choose but

sorrow with tears, to see so great dignity, honour, and estimation, so necessary

members sometime accounted, so many godly virtues, the study of so many

years, such excellent learning, to be put into the fire, and consumed in one

moment. Well! dead they are, and the reward of this world they have already.

What reward remains for them in heaven, the day of the Lord’s glory, when he

cometh with his saints, shall shortly, I trust, declare.

THE SPANISH ARMADA (1588)

Elizabeth I (1533–1603) became embroiled in war with Spain unwillingly. War was

costly and unpredictable; moreover, England’s principal allies were the Dutch, a

people in rebellion against their lawful sovereign. Elizabeth was a Protestant, as

were her allies, but she was also a monarch. The war came gradually, as relations

between Elizabeth and her former brother-in-law Philip II soured. When she inher-

ited the throne in 1558, Philip actually toyed with the idea of marrying Elizabeth –

a proposal she would not have welcomed. The start of the Dutch Revolt in 1568,

a papal bull excommunicating the queen in 1572, and Elizabeth’s execution of her

cousin Mary, Queen of Scots in 1587 were all important milestones in the decay of

Anglo-Spanish relations. Elizabeth could not countenance Spain’s triumph in the

Low Countries, and Philip could not win there without first defeating England. A

Spanish invasion was the solution. Troops assembled in the Low Countries would

be ferried to England in the summer of 1588 by the Armada, and the duke of

Parma, Spain’s general, would conquer the island for his master.

The defeat of the Spanish Armada occupies a special place in the English

national consciousness. Many myths surround the story; for example, the Spanish

fleet was not larger than the English, and more Spanish ships foundered as a result

of storms and poor navigation than were actually lost to enemy gunfire. But what-

ever the reality, the perception, in England and abroad, was of a great victory –

and indeed, the Armada was a colossal failure for Spain. The queen’s ships per-

formed better in combat, and England decisively prevented invasion. As important

was the impact of the victory on Elizabeth’s image and the English outlook upon

the world. The queen transformed herself from penny-pinching, reluctant warrior,

to a female David. This transformation was by no means unstudied, as the queen’s

words to her troops at Tilbury, printed here, demonstrate. Speaking to thousands

of hastily assembled militiamen, Elizabeth defied Philip and put herself at the

head of a people whose invincibility was insured by their devotion to their

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monarch. Richard Hakluyt’s day-by-day account of the Armada’s agony is another

example of the way in which the campaign came to symbolize England’s role as

a providentially inspired nation. The heroics of her captains, such as Sir Francis

Drake, the godliness of her people, and the steadfast courage of her queen were

marks of divine favour. Hakluyt’s story became a central feature of the English self-

image for the rest of the early modern period.

My loving People, we have been persuaded by some that are careful of our

safety, to take heed how we commit our self 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 my self, 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 or die amongst you all, to lay down for my God,

and for my Kingdom, and for my People, my honor, and my blood, even in the

dust. I know I have the body but 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 dishonor shall grow by me, I

my self will take up arms, I my self 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, in the word of a

Prince, they shall be duly paid you.

The miraculous victory achieved by the English Fleet ...

Upon the Spanish Armada sent in the year 1588, for

the invasion of England

Having part declared the strange and wonderful events of the year eighty

eight, which hath been so long time foretold by ancient prophecies; we will

now make relation of the most notable and great enterprise of all others which

were in the foresaid year achieved, in order as it was done. Which exploit

(although in very deed it was not performed in any part of the low Countries)

was intended for their ruin and destruction. And it was the expedition which

the Spanish king, having a long time determined the same in his mind, and

having consulted thereabout with the Pope, set forth and undertook against

England and the low Countries. To the end that he might subdue the Realm

of England, and reduce it unto his catholic Religion, and by that means might

be sufficiently revenged for the disgrace, contempt and dishonour, which he

(having 34 years before enforced them to the Pope’s obedience) had endured of

the English nation, and for divers other injuries which had taken deep impres-

sion in his thoughts. And also for that he deemed this to be the most ready and

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direct course, whereby he might recover his hereditary possession of the low

Countries...

At length when as the French king about the end of May [1588] signified

unto her Majesty in plain terms that she should stand upon her guard, because

he was now most certainly informed, that there was so dangerous an invasion

imminent upon her realm, that he feared much lest all her land and sea-forces

would be sufficient to withstand it, &c. then began the Queen’s Majesty more

carefully to gather her forces together, & to furnish her own ships of war, & the

principal ships of her subjects with soldiers, weapons, and other necessary

provision. The greatest and strongest ships of the whole navy she sent onto

Plymouth under the conduct of the right honourable Lord Charles Howard,

lord high Admiral of England, &c. Under whom the renowned Knight Sir

Francis Drake was appointed Vice-admiral. The number of these ships was

about a hundred. The lesser ships being 30 or 40 in number, and under the

conduct of the lord Henry Seymour were commanded to lie between Dover

and Calais.

On land likewise throughout the whole realm, soldiers were mustered

and trained in all places, and were committed unto the most resolute and

faithful captains. And whereas it was commonly given out that the Spaniard

having once united himself unto the duke of Parma, meant to invade by the

river of Thames, there was at Tilbury in Essex over-against Gravesend, a

mighty army encamped, and on both sides of the river fortifications were

erected, according to the prescription of Frederico Genebelli an Italian

engineer. Likewise there were certain ships brought to make a bridge,

though it were very late first. Unto the said army came in proper person the

Queens most royal Majesty . . . Also there were other such armies levied in

England.

The principal catholic Recusants (least they should stir up any tumult in the

time of the Spanish invasion) were sent to remain at certain convenient places,

as namely in the Isle of Ely and at Wisbech. And some of them were sent unto

other places, to wit, unto sundry bishops and noblemen, where they were

kept from endangering the state of the common wealth, and of her sacred

Majesty, who of her most gracious clemency gave express commandment, that

they should be treated with all humanity and friendship . . .

Upon Tuesday which was the three and twenty of July, the navy being come

over against Portland, the wind began to turn northerly, insomuch that the

Spaniards had a fortunate and fit gale to invade the English. But the

Englishmen having lesser and nimbler Ships, recovered again the vantage of

the wind from the Spaniards, whereat the Spaniards seemed to be more

incensed to fight than before. But when the English Fleet had continually and

without intermission from morning to night, beaten and battered them with

all their shot both great and small: the Spaniards uniting themselves, gathered

their whole Fleet close together into a roundel, so that it was apparent that

they meant not as yet to invade others, but only to defend themselves and to

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make haste unto the place prescribed unto them, which was near unto

Dunkirk, that they might join forces with the duke of Parma, who was deter-

mined to have proceeded secretly with his small ships under the shadow and

protection of the great ones, and so had intended circumspectly to perform the

whole expedition.

This was the most furious and bloody skirmish of all, in which the lord

Admiral of England continued fighting amidst his enemy’s Fleet, and seeing

one of his Captains afar off, he spoke unto him in these words: Oh George what

doest thou? Wilt thou now frustrate my hope and opinion conceived of that?

Wilt thou forsake me now? With which words he being inflamed, approached

forthwith, encountered the enemy, and did the part of a most valiant Captain.

His name was George Fenner, a man that had been conversant in many Sea-

fights.

In this conflict there was a certain great Venetian ship with other small ships

surprised and taken by the English.

The English navy in the mean while increased, whereunto out of all Havens

of the Realm resorted ships and men: for they all with one accord came flock-

ing thither as unto a set field, where immortal fame and glory was to be

attained, and faithful service to be performed unto their prince and country.

In which number there were many great and honourable personages, as

namely, the Earls of Oxford, of Northumberland, of Cumberland, &c. with

many Knights and Gentlemen . . . And so it came to pass that the number

of the English ships amounted unto a hundred: which when they were

come before Dover, were increased to an hundred and thirty, being notwith-

standing of no proportionable bigness to encounter with the Spaniards,

except two or three and twenty of the Queens greater ships, which only, by

reason of their presence, bred an opinion in the Spaniards minds concerning

the power of the English Fleet: the mariners and soldiers whereof were

esteemed to be twelve thousand . . . And albeit there were many excellent

and warlike ships in the English fleet, yet scarce were there 22 or 23 among

them all which matched 90 of the Spanish ships in bigness, or could con-

veniently assault them. Wherefore the English ships using their prerogative

of nimble steerage, whereby they could turn and wield themselves with the

wind which way they listed, came often times very near upon the Spaniards,

and charged them so sore, that now and then they were but a pike’s length

apart & so continually giving them one broadside after another, they dis-

charged all their shot both great and small upon them, spending one whole

day from morning till night in that violent kind of conflict, until such time

as powder and bullets failed them. In regard of which want they thought it

convenient not to pursue the Spaniards any longer, because they had many

great vantages of the English, namely for the extraordinary bigness of their

ships, and also for that they were so nearly conjoined, and kept together in

so good array, that they could by no means besought withal one to one. The

English thought therefore, that they had right well acquitted themselves, in

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chasing the Spaniards first from Calais, and then from Dunkirk, and by that

means to have hindered them from joining with the Duke of Parma his

forces, and getting the wind of them, to have driven them from their own

coasts.

The Spaniards that day sustained great loss and damage having many of

their ships shot through and through, and they discharged likewise great

store of ordnance against the English; who indeed sustained some hindrance,

but not comparable to the Spaniard’s loss: for they lost not any one ship or

person of account. For very urgent inquisition being made, the English men all

that time wherein the Spanish Navy sailed upon their seas, are not found to

have wanted above one hundred of their People: albeit Sir Francis Drake’s ship

was pierced with shot above forty times, and his very cabin was twice shot

thorough, and about the conclusion of the fight, the bed of a certain gentleman

lying weary thereupon, was taken quite from under him with the force of a

bullet. Likewise, as the Earl of Northumberland and Sir Charles Blunt were at

dinner upon a time, the bullet of a demiculverin broke thorough the midst of

their cabin, touched their feet, and struck down two of the standers by, with

many such accidents befalling the English ships, which it were tedious to

rehearse. Whereupon it is most apparent, that God miraculously preserved the

English nation. For the L. Admiral wrote unto her Majesty that in all human

reason, and according to the judgement of all men (every circumstance being

duly considered) the English men were not of any such force, whereby they

might, without a miracle, dare once to approach within sight of the Spanish

Fleet: insomuch that they freely ascribed all the honour of their victory unto

God, who had confounded the enemy, and had brought his counsels to no

effect...

While this wonderful and puissant Navy [the Armada] was sailing along the

English coasts, and all men did now plainly see and hear that which before

they would not be persuaded of, all people throughout England prostrated

themselves with humble prayers and supplications unto God . . . knowing

right well, that prayer was the only refuge against all enemies, calamities, and

necessities, and that it was the only solace and relief for mankind, being visited

with affliction and misery. Likewise such solemn days of supplication were

observed throughout the united Provinces.

Also a while after the Spanish Fleet was departed, there was in England, by

the commandment of her Majesty, and in the united Provinces, by the direc-

tion of the States, a solemn festival day publicly appointed, wherein all persons

were enjoined to resort unto the Church, and there to render thanks and

praises unto God: and the Preachers were commanded to exhort the people

thereunto. The foresaid solemnity was observed upon the 29 of November;

which day was wholly spent in fasting, prayer, and giving of thanks.

Likewise, the Queen’s Majesty herself, imitating the ancient Romans, rode

into London in triumph, in regard of her own and her subject’s glorious deliv-

erance. For being attended upon very solemnly by all the principal Estates and

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officers of her Realm, she was carried thorough her said City of London in a tri-

umphant chariot, and in robes of triumph, from her Palace unto the Cathedral

Church of Saint Paul, out of the which the ensigns and colours of the van-

quished Spaniards hung displayed. And all the Citizens of London in their

Liveries stood on either side the street, by their several Companies, with their

ensigns and banners: and the streets were hanged on both sides with Blue

cloth, which, together with the foresaid banners, yielded a very stately and gal-

lant prospect. Her Majesty being entered into the Church, together with her

Clergy and Nobles gave thanks unto God, and caused a public Sermon to be

preached before her at Paul’s Cross; wherein no other argument was handled,

but that praise, honour, and glory might be rendered unto God, and that

God’s name might be extolled by thanksgiving. And with her own princely

voice she most Christianly exhorted the people to do the same: whereby upon

the people with a loud acclamation wished her a most long and happy life, to

the confusion of her foes.

Thus the magnificent, huge, and mighty fleet of the Spaniards (which them-

selves termed in all places invincible) such as sailed not upon the Ocean sea

many hundred years before, in the year 1588 vanished into smoke; to the

great confusion and discouragement of the authors thereof...