ApexNews
Return to Main
Book

England and the Spanish Armada: The Necessary Quarrel

2005

Synopsis

The Anglo-Spanish War of 1585–1603 was, to most contemporary Englishmen, a conflict for the soul of the nation. To their descendants, the Armada campaign of 1588 represented a watershed in European history that both preserved English freedoms and halted the momentum of an ambitious and alien empire. Yet the victorious nation had contributed much to the conflict. This book examines the process by which the Spaniard, a long-term ally and friend, became in English eyes the epitome of human depravity, and how resistance to his imagined goals helped shape an emerging sense of nationhood.

The antipathies generated by this process ensured that the Armada campaign was a battle for different ideals of civilization. The protagonists expected the clash to be decisive, but what ensued was no heroic encounter. Instead it was an inconclusive affair, redeemed―for England―by atrocious weather and poor Spanish understanding of the coastlines of western Scotland and Ireland.

Suggested Reading

The Spanish Armada: The History and Legacy of Spain’s Notorious Naval Debacle

“My loving people, we have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit ourself to armed multitudes for fear of treachery; but I assure you, I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people ... I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woma...

View Details

The Defeat Of Spanish Armada

"The Defeat of the Spanish Armada" by Garrett Mattingly is a historical account of the events leading up to and including the failed invasion of England by the Spanish Armada in 1588. The book provides a comprehensive examination of the political, religious, and military forces at play during this p...

View Details

Latest News

February 2nd, 2023

The Spanish Armada: Mighty, Powerful, & Eventually Defeated

We use cookies to improve your experience on our website. By continuing to browse, you accept our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.