Religious Wars
England VS Spain and The Spanish Armada 1585-1604
Summary
As Spain and England were in religious conflict due to the murder of catholic queen Mary of Scots,and the founding of the Church of England by Henry VIII (who was protestant). King Philip II, decided to launch a campaign to take over England. The goal of this so called “enterprise of england” was to bring England back to Catholicism. On May 19th, 1588, 130 ships carrying 8,000 men and 20,000 soldiers sailed to take control of the English Channel under the duke of medina-sedonia who was only a replacement and had relatively little sea experience.
But the English sent eight burning ships to the Spanish Armada. This marks the end of the attempted conversion of England, as the Spanish Armada sailed out disorganized and lost the battle. As well as their sense of orientation, the armada was pushed out into the north sea from which they later returned. About 15,000 men died and nearly half of the armada was lost.
Cause of Battle
After 1558 (Mary’s death)England and Spain’s relations and contact declined.
The overthrow of the protestants
Spain was in debt from revolts in the country, the Portuguese independence war and English pirate attacks on the colonies. They were weakened.
The English supported the Netherlands (protestant) , but that would be a provocation towards Spain as Spain is catholic. Created The Treaty of Nonsuch.
Queen Mary of Scots (Catholic) was killed in 1558 by Elizabeth I(Protestant).
Elizabeth I wants to remain the virgin queen and rejects Philip II proposal.
English pirates (Sir Francis Drake) keep raiding Spanish slave ships in the Caribbean.
Key Figures
Queen Elizabeth I of England
Philip II of Spain
Pope Sixtus V
Sir Francis Drake
Lord Charles Howard
Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots
Outcome
England won the war and Spain retreated towards the Irish coastline and then went back to Spain.
Main Significance
Spanish failure to capture England. This saved both England, Netherlands, and the rest of The United Kingdom from a Spanish overtake and possible absorption. The defeat of The Spanish Armada brought England into World Power and caused them to stay in that position for quite some time. Since England was a Protestant nation, this win could be considered a big step for the protestant believers over the Catholics. This also led to guns on ships that affect warfare from that day on.
Primary Source- The Treaty of Nonsuch
On August 19, 1585, The Treaty of Nonsuch was a document created between the English and The Dutch. It was signed by Elizabeth and Dutch Rebels at the time. The English stated that they would help the dutch rebels fight against the Spanish. This provoked Philip II and served as a trigger for the English versus the Spanish war. This was written because the Dutch rebels needed help because they didn't want Spain to take over.