The Spanish Armada

A Campaign in Context

Why the Spanish Armada failed to conquer England - and transform world history

In July 1588, the imposing Armada sent by King Philip II of Spain set sail for England’s southern shores and into the history books. Delving into this popular campaign, Rupert Matthews looks at the ill-fated invasion of England and places it into a wider context. The Armada of 22 warships and 108 converted merchant vessels sailed under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia in1588, but found itself harried by storms, fireships, and the redoubtable English fleet. But was the Armada doomed to failure from the very beginning?

In The Spanish Armada, Matthews considers the characters of the commanders such as Francis Drake, Medina, and the opposing monarchs. He also carefully balances the evidence from textual sources with knowledge of the theatre and reconstructed weaponry in order to explain the events of the attempted invasion in an accessible way, perfect for anyone interested in this fascinating moment from history.

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