The Anglo-Spanish War/The Armada
(1585-1604)
History and Summary of the Anglo-Spanish War
The Anglo-Spanish War was an undeclared conflict between England and Spain from 1585-1604. Most famously, this war is defined by England's victory over the Spanish Armada in 1588. Spain was attempting to invade the country and eliminate Elizabeth I. However, England managed to defeat the Spanish and claimed a major victory over the world's largest empire. Fighting continued up to 1603, and was officially ended by the Treaty of London in 1604. England was also known to weaken Spain by enlisting pirates such as Sir Walter Raleigh in order to capture Spanish ships and goods.
Causes of the Anglo-Spanish War
There was no official declaration of war between England and Spain, but the root cause is usually described as a relationship between Queen Elizabeth I and King Phillip II. Phillip deemed her an illegitimate monarch of England after she had her cousin--Queen Mary-- killed, whom Phillip was married to. Along with a strong hostility between King Phillip II of Spain and Queen Elizabeth I of England, many Spanish Catholics sought to overthrow England's Protestant regime.
Important Figures of the Anglo-Spanish War
Queen Elizabeth I
The Queen of England (1558-1603) also known as the Virgin Queen, due to her lack of marriage in order to maintain power. Gained popularity after the defeat of the Spanish Armada. One of the most powerful and well-respected figures in England's history.
King Phillip II
The King of Spain (1556-1598) also known as the Prudent King. Unlike Elizabeth, the Armada's defeat weakened his figure and stance in Spain.
The Spanish Armada
A fleet of 130 war ships which attempted to invade England in 1588. Assembled by King Phillip II, the fleet, though numbering less than that of England's, had much more firepower. However, the fleet was defeated by the English and was slowly shrunk in size as English pirates struck in the following years.
The Outcome of the Anglo-Spanish War
Officially, the war ended in a stalemate between the two countries after the Treaty of London was signed, meaning there was no declared victor. However, this was a turning point for both empires as the balance of power started to lean more towards England.
Why is this significant?
The Anglo-Spanish War is important to history because it signified the decline of the Spanish Empire and the rise of England. Without the Anglo-Spanish War, English dominance may never have been officially reached, meaning that colonies and people around the world may not have existed.
Links and Resources Used
Primary Source from the Anglo-Spanish War
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1057%2F9780230501584_9
This primary source is taken from the page of a book called The Accesion of James I. It talks about the aftermath of the Anglo-Spanish War and what King James I thought about the Treaty of London. It also talks about how the transition to James I becoming king defused a lot of antagonisms between England and Spain.