8-5SpanishArmada



The Spanish Armada //Answer Prepared by Nathan F.// The defeat of the Spanish Armada is one of the most famous events recorded in English history. This victory gave Queen Elizabeth much of her fame that she is recognized by today. Many people back then would often call her the “English Deborah.” A Deborah is a prophetess; the word comes from Israel, and is Hebrew. After the defeat of the Spanish Armada many people actually believed that she wasn't only the English Deborah, but also Bellona, the goddess of war.

During the Spanish Armada war, Spain was the most powerful country in the world. England was a small country, with few allies, and many enemies. Most people or even powerful leaders would be nervous about taking on the most powerful country in the world, but Queen Elizabeth didn’t even seem to be fazed, and if she was, she hid it well. Before the war, Spain and England were actually slight allies, but over 30 years, their good relationship started to deteriorate.

Queen Elizabeth started to encourage the idea of English pirates. The pirates would take the Spanish ships’ treasures, which were sold and the money used to fuel the rebellion against Spain. What England didn’t know was that Spain was planning an attack on England as early as 1585; the first reason they were going to invade was to get back the Mary the Queen of Scots.

She was later executed before she could be taken back, so Philip decided to invade England in the name of his daughter, Infanta Isabella.

Philip wanted to dispose of Elizabeth, put his daughter on the throne, and make England Roman Catholic. At the end of May in 1588, Spain sent out a fleet of ships. During the Battle, Queen Elizabeth did not sit in a castle and cower with fear; instead she went out and inspected the troops. This is when she gave her infamous speech at Tilbury. Which stated that she would do all in her power to protect her people, and that she put the head commanders on the job to defend and protect the people of England. The Spanish were going through a humiliating defeat. They sent more fleets after the Armada, but none of them succeeded, and the only greatly remembered one was the Armada.

This event was significant, because it changed England greatly. It was one of the important events in English history and Spanish history too. This all was happening during the time of Shakespeare, so he lived through the entire Spanish Armada. He was just 24 when the Armada was sent out. This is significant because having lived through one of the most altering times for England must have had a great impact on Shakespeare, so his thoughts about the war may be traced in his writings.

Works Cited "Elizabethan England." //Shakespeare Research Center//. February 18, 2009. 14 Apr 2009 . Martin, Colin. //The Spanish Armada: Revised Edition//. 2nd. Manchester University Press, 2002. Print. "The Spanish Armada." //Elizabethi//. ??/??/??. 14 Apr 2009 . "The Spanish Armada." //Elizabethan Era//. ??/??/??. 14 Apr 2009 .

And check out this cool mini series about the Spanish Armada! media type="youtube" key="UfreoFpy1Sk" width="425" height="350"

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