Tudors Armada Teacher Notes

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Tudor Britain - The Spanish Armada 1. Phillip II decided to invade England and return it to the Catholic faith. 2. The Spanish Armada consisted of 130 ships and 30,000 men. 3. Spanish ships were not ideal for sea battle because many were converted merchant ships. 4. The Spanish ships were heavily laden with soldiers because they planned to invade. 5. The Spanish Armada consisted of ships that were large, heavy and difficult to manoeuvre. 6. On 19th July 1588 the Spanish Armada were ready to set sail. 7. On July 29th they were sighted off the coast of Cornwall. 8. Beacons were lit along the English coast to warn of the Armada’s approach. 9. The Spanish Armada sailed in a crescent formation 10. This meant that slow ships in the middle and faster ones at the edge, making it difficult to attack. 11. The English ships were smaller and faster than the Spanish ones. 12. The English navy were good at artillery and naval tactics and had quick, nimble ships. 13. The English sailors could fire and re-load cannon quickly during battle, therefore causing more damage. 14. The Spanish tactic was to draw alongside ships and board them. 15. The English tactic was to sink ships, relying on firing canon as they sailed quickly past. 16. On August 4th the wind changed, the sea became rough and the Spanish Armada was forced to anchor at Calais. 17. On August 7th the English sent eight fire-ships into the Spanish Fleet. 18. Fire-ships were old hulks stuffed with firewood, tar and loaded guns, they exploded causing Spanish to panic. 19. Many of the Spanish ships cut their anchors, which made them easier to attack and the Battle of Gravelines followed. 20. The English attacked fiercely, sailing close to Spanish to save ammunition and a great victory was achieved. 21. The Spanish Armada tried to return to Spain, but storms scattered ships and many were sunk. 22. Only half of the Spanish ships and a quarter of the men returned to Spain. 23. The English struck a commemorative medal, which said ‘God blew and they were scattered’.

Tudor Britain - The Spanish Armada