1. What were the reasons for the war between England and Spain?
2. What do you know about Francis Drake?
3. When did Spain build the first Armada?
4. What words did Queen Elizabeth say to her soldiers and why?
5. Why did King of Spain have to build another fleet?
6. Why were the English ships better?
7. What was the end of the battle?
Useful Language
chilly, drizzly, marvellous, miserable, plausible, wet

What were the reasons for the war between England and Spain?
The war between England and Spain happened for several reasons. First, there was strong religious conflict: Spain was Catholic, while England under Queen Elizabeth I became Protestant. This created deep hostility. Second, England supported the Dutch rebels who were fighting against Spanish rule in the Netherlands, which made Spain very angry. Third, English sailors like Francis Drake attacked Spanish ships and ports, stealing treasure from the Americas. This was seen as piracy by Spain but as heroic action by England. Finally, both countries wanted power over trade and new lands, so competition made war almost unavoidable.

What do you know about Francis Drake?
Francis Drake was an English sea captain, explorer, and privateer. He was famous for sailing around the world between 1577 and 1580, becoming the first Englishman to complete a circumnavigation. He also attacked Spanish ships and captured a lot of gold and silver, which made him very popular in England but hated in Spain. The Spanish called him a pirate, while Queen Elizabeth I saw him as a useful and brave sailor. He played an important role in fighting against the Spanish Armada.

When did Spain build the first Armada?
Spain built its first large invasion fleet, the Spanish Armada, in 1588. It was created by King Philip II to invade England and remove Queen Elizabeth I from the throne. The fleet was very large and powerful for its time, and it was meant to work together with Spanish troops from the Netherlands to conquer England. However, the plan failed badly.

What words did Queen Elizabeth say to her soldiers and why?
Before the Spanish invasion, Queen Elizabeth I spoke to her soldiers at Tilbury. She said that she had “the body of a weak and feeble woman, but the heart and stomach of a king.” She wanted to show that even though she was a woman, she was strong and ready to defend her country. Her speech was meant to encourage the soldiers, boost their morale, and unite them against the Spanish threat, especially in the cold, wet, and rather miserable weather they were standing in.

Why did King of Spain have to build another fleet?
After the failure of the first Armada in 1588, King Philip II of Spain wanted to try again to defeat England. The first fleet had been damaged by English attacks and by storms, so it returned in a miserable condition. Because Spain still wanted to control England and stop English raids, the king ordered another fleet to be built later. He also wanted revenge and to restore Spain’s reputation as the most powerful naval force in Europe.

Why were the English ships better?
The English ships were better mainly because they were smaller, faster, and more maneuverable than the heavy Spanish galleons. They could sail more easily in windy and drizzly North Atlantic weather. English cannons were also more advanced, allowing them to fire from a distance without getting too close. The Spanish ships were large and less flexible, which made them less effective in battle. The English tactics were more modern and practical, especially in rough and wet sea conditions.

What was the end of the battle?
The battle ended with the defeat of the Spanish Armada. The English fleet used better tactics and took advantage of the windy and wet weather to damage the Spanish ships. Many Spanish vessels were destroyed or forced northwards, and then a series of strong storms in the Atlantic made the situation even more miserable for them. Only part of the Armada returned to Spain, and the plan to invade England failed completely. This victory became a marvellous moment in English history and marked the rise of England as a strong naval power.