Page 7 - Sir Francis Drake

Defeat of the Spanish Armada
The preparation of the Armada began early in 1586 and took over two years. Credit for the delay is given to Francis Drake's raid on Cadiz in April 1587 where he destroyed ships and stole a huge number of guns and ammunition. The Spanish planned to sail their 130 ships from Spain into the English Channel where they would meet with the forces of the Duke of Parma, Philips’ nephew. They believed that together, their forces would defeat the English and the illegitimate Queen would be captured and England conquered.
But the English were waiting, tipped off by Queen Elizabeth’s spies. On the cliffs of England and Wales, men were on constant look out for the great Armada. When the great ships appeared, beacons were lit on the hillsides, which sent the message throughout the country. The beacons were able to send the message faster than any horseman could ride. As soon as the ships began to make their way up the channel, the fighting began.
In the English Channel, the Spanish suffered a humiliating defeat and Drake was one of the ships intercepting the Armada. Fortunately, a storm with high wind and heavy ran made it so the Spanish were not able to compete with the superior English ships and war tactics. The Spanish fled in terror when English fire ships were aimed at them. The only way back to Spain was the perilous journey around the coast of Scotland, and many a Spaniard never saw his home country again. The battle was over and the English had won!
The Queen and her people were happy. Having conquered the Spanish fleet, they were no longer a second rate sea power. A thanksgiving service was held at St. Paul's Cathedral, and a medal was struck with the words "God blew and they were scattered" inscribed on it. They believed that the storm was no ordinary storm, but the work of a Protestant God.