THE Author and Undertaker of this ever memorable Expedition was _Philip_
II. King of _Spain_, eldest Son of the renowned Emperor _Charles_ V. In
the Year 1554, he married _Mary_ I. Queen of _England_, with a View of
uniting, by this Marriage, the _English_ Dominions to those large and
noble Territories of which he was Heir-Apparent. But all his Projects
were defeated by a False-Conception the Queen had in 1555; and
especially by her Death, which happened on _Novemb._ 17, 1558.—In 1555,
_October_ 25, he became King of _Spain_, and the Dominions and
Territories thereunto belonging, upon the voluntary Resignation of his
Father _Charles_ V.
As to King _Philip_’s real Views and Motives in this Expedition, they
seem to have been these:
I. A firm Hope and certain Prospect as he imagin’d, of easily acquiring
so considerable an Addition to his Dominions, as the flourishing
Kingdoms of _England_ and _Ireland_. Kingdoms whose Advantages and
Excellencies he was well acquainted withal; and from whence he could be
continually supplied with Tin, Lead, Wool, and many other useful,
necessary, and profitable Commodities.
II. He was also excited by another Motive, which is generally sufficient
for Conquerors; and it was this: _England_ and _Ireland_ stood very
convenient for him, as being near his Dominions in the Low-Countries;
and might, by their advantageous Situation, and the many good Harbours
they abound with, have rendered him Master of the Trade and Navigation
of these Northern Parts of the World; and, what is more, they would have
enabled him to carry it on throughout all _North_ and _South-America_,
exclusively of all others; which is such an Advantage as cannot well be
expressed.
III. Moreover these Islands had proved, and might always prove a
grievous Thorn in his Side. For, by reason of their Situation, the
_English_ could, at any Time, almost totally obstruct the Navigation of
the _Netherlands_, and destroy all their Traffick by Sea. Because, as it
must unavoidably be carried on almost within Sight of the _British_
Coasts, so long as the Inhabitants of those Islands remained independent
of him[1], and were Masters at Sea, they could seize, with the utmost
Ease, the Shipping sent from the Ports of _Flanders_ to the several
Parts of the World. What lay therefore so convenient, and was in other
Hands so dangerous a Neighbour, must be purchas’d at any Rate.
IV. Revenge may be assigned as another Motive of this Expedition. Queen
_Elizabeth_ had assisted all along the States of the United Provinces,
in their several Attempts to shake off the _Spanish_ Yoke. Now, that
surely was a very great Provocation: And Forgiveness of Injuries, it is
well known, was then, no more than at present, a _Spaniard_’s Virtue. To
be revenged therefore of such a constant Enemy as _Elizabeth_ had been,
may well be suppos’d to have been an additional Inducement to this
Undertaking.
V. This other important Motive is assigned by _Hakluyt_[2]: “King
_Philip_ deemed this to be the most ready and direct Course, to recover
his hereditary Possession of the _Low-Countries_. For, having with
little Advantage, for above twenty Years together, waged War against the
_Netherlands_, after mature Deliberation, he thought it most convenient
to assault them once more by Sea, which had been fruitlessly attempted
several Times before for want of sufficient Forces. And he thought good
to begin with _England_, being persuaded, that the Conquest of that
Island was less difficult than the Conquest of _Holland_ and _Zealand_.
Moreover, the _Spaniards_ were of Opinion, that it would be far more
behoveful for their King to conquer _England_ and the _Low-Countries_ at
once, than to be constrained continually to maintain a warlike Navy, to
defend his _East_ and _West-India_ Fleets from the _English_.”
* * * * *
These (with a Desire of restoring the _Roman-Catholick_ Religion) seem
to have been the real and true Motives of this great Expedition.
The Reasons alleged by _Philip_ were these[3]:
I. That _Elizabeth_ had, from the first assisted his rebellious Subjects
in the _Netherlands_, with Men and Money, and spirited them up against
him, her greatest Friend and Benefactor; whom she was indebted to for
her Life, when her Sister Queen _Mary_ and _Gardiner_ were for removing
her out of the Way.
II. _Drake_, and others of her Subjects, had committed several
Depredations in _Spain_ and _America_.
III. She had been so unnatural as to stop his Money, when, for fear of
Pirates, it had been landed in her Dominions; and had put an Embargo on
the Vessels employed to carry it to the _Low-Countries_: (As is related
by _Camden_, under the Year 1568.)
IV. She had acknowledged his Enemy Don _Antonio_ King of _Portugal_, and
armed him against _Spain_.
V. That it was by her Instruction and Advice the Duke of _Alençon_ had
been crowned King of _Brabant_.
VI. And, moreover, she herself had accepted the Sovereignty of the
_Low-Countries_, and sent the Earl of _Leicester_ thither with
considerable Forces; which was an open Declaration of War.
VII. That he undertook it, to revenge the Death of the innocent Queen of
_Scots_.
VIII. And in Compliance with the Holy Father _Innocent_ VIII.’s earnest
Injunctions, who ceased not to exhort and importune him, to abolish
Heresy in _England_, and replant the _Roman-Catholick_ Religion there.
* * * * *
In short therefore, the Aim and Design of the King of _Spain_ in this
great Expedition, was to conquer _England_, in order to come more easily
at the revolted _Netherlands_, and facilitate their Reduction to his
Obedience; as also, for the Sake of so meritorious an Action, as the
bringing this Island back to the Catholick Religion: And to be revenged,
at the same Time, for the Disgrace, Contempt, and Dishonour, he had, at
several Times, received from the _English_ Nation; and for divers others
real or pretended Injuries, which had made a deep Impression on his
proud and revengeful Spirit.
Animated and spurred on by these Motives, King _Philip_ made such vast
Preparations for his intended Conquest, as had hardily ever been known
before in any Age, or Nation: Whether we consider the Time spent about
them; or the prodigious Strength and Quantity of the Materials of all
Kinds that were provided.
As for the Time spent about these Preparations; King _Philip_ seems to
have form’d this Design as early as the Year 1583. [4]For, in that Year,
he ordered _Alexander_ Duke of _Parma_, Governor of the _Low-Countries_,
to procure an exact Account and Description of the Harbours, Castles,
Rivers, and Roads belonging to _England_, and transmit them to him;
which was accordingly done: And in this _Francis Throckmorton_ appears
to have been concerned. But, according to _Rapin_, [5]this Project was
formed by _Philip_ only from the Time _Mary_ Queen of _Scots_ had been
persuaded to convey to him her Right to _England_, as being the only
Means to restore the _Catholick_ Religion[6]: According to the received
Maxim in the Church of _Rome_, That an Heretick is unworthy and
incapable of enjoying a Crown; _Philip_ thought he might justly claim
that of _England_, as being the next _Catholick_ Prince descended from
the House of _Lancaster_; namely, from _Catharine_ Daughter of _John_ of
_Ghent_ Duke of _Lancaster_, married in 1389 to _Henry_, then Prince,
and afterwards King, of _Castile_. Upon this Descent therefore, and the
Queen of _Scots_ Conveyance and Will, he had projected the Conquest of
_England_.
However it be, or whenever these Preparations were begun, it is certain
that King _Philip_ assembled so powerful a Fleet, and so well furnished
with all kinds of Provisions and Ammunition, that, thinking it
unconquerable by human Power, he gave it the Title of the INVINCIBLE
ARMADA.
[7]This Fleet consisted of one hundred and thirty two Ships, (besides
twenty Caravels for the Service of the Army, and ten Salves with six
Oars apiece,) containing fifty nine thousand one hundred, and twenty
Tons; three thousand, one hundred, and sixty five Cannons; eight
thousand, seven hundred, and sixty six Sailors; two thousand and eighty
eight Galley-Slaves, and twenty one thousand, eight hundred, and fifty
five Soldiers; besides Noblemen and Voluntiers[8]. For there was not a
Family in _Spain_ of any Note, but what had a Son, a Brother, or a
Kinsman in the Fleet[9]. Of these Voluntiers there were two hundred and
twenty four; attended by four hundred and fifty six Servants bearing
Arms.
There were also two hundred and thirty eight Gentlemen more, maintained
by the King; with one hundred and sixty three Servants. An hundred and
seventy seven Persons, with two Engineers, one Physician, one Surgeon,
and thirty Servants belonging to the Artillery; eighty five Physicians
and Surgeons for the Hospital-Ships; three and twenty Gentlemen
belonging to the Duke of _Medina-Sidonia_’s Court, and fifty Servants;
seventeen Superintendants General of the Army; and one hundred Servants
more, belonging to them, or to the Officers of Justice, who were twenty
in Number[10].
Nay even there were in it one hundred and eighty Capuchins, Dominicans,
Jesuits, and Mendicant Friars; with _Martin Alarco_, Vicar of the
Inquisition.
And because none were allowed to have Wives or Concubines on board, some
Women had hired Ships to follow the Fleet; two or three of which Ships
were driven by the Storm on the Coast of _France_[11].
Most of the Ships of this ARMADA[12] were of an uncommon Size, Strength,
and Thickness, more like floating Castles than any thing else; and they
were cased above Water with thick Planks to hinder the Cannon-Balls from
piercing their Sides. The Masts also were braced round with strong
pitched Ropes, to save them from being soon shatter’d or broke by the
Shot.
Then as to Ammunition, [13]this Fleet had a very great Number of
Cannons, double Cannons, Culverins, and Field-Pieces for Land-Service;
seven thousand Muskets and Calievers; ten thousand Halberts and
Partizans; one hundred and twenty thousand Cannon-Balls; [14]one hundred
Quintals of Lead for Bullets (each Quintal being a hundred weight,)
twelve thousand Quintals of Match; fifty six thousand Quintals of
Gunpowder; and also, Waggons, and other Carriages; Horses, Mules, and
other Instruments and Necessaries for Conveyance by Land; Torches,
Lanthorns, Canvas, Hides, Lead; Chains, Whips, Butchering-Knives,
Halters, and other Instruments of Death and Slavery[15]; and Spades,
Mattocks, Baskets, and every thing else requisite for Pioneers Work; as
also eight hundred Mules for drawing the Ordnance and Carriages.
Proportionable to these Forces was their great Store of Provisions of
every Sort: [16]for, besides Raisins in great abundance, they had eight
thousand Quintals of Fish; three thousand Quintals of Rice; six thousand
three hundred and twenty [17]Septiers of Beans, Pease, _&c._ eleven
thousand three hundred and ninety eight Pounds of Olive-Oyl; thirty
three thousand eight hundred and seventy Measures of Vinegar; ninety six
thousand Quintals of Biscuit; three thousand four hundred and fifty
eight Quintals of Goats Cheese; six thousand five hundred Quintals of
Bacon; one hundred and forty seven thousand Pipes of Wine; twelve
thousand Pipes of Water, _&c._—Provisions in a word they had for six
Months; and so well furnished were they, that Sir _Francis Drake_
observes, in a Letter of his, [18]they had Provisions of Bread and Wine
sufficient to maintain forty thousand Men for a whole Year.
The whole Fleet, in general, is said[19] to have contained thirty two
thousand Persons, and cost every Day thirty thousand Ducats[20].
The General of the Land Forces, and the Commander in Chief in the whole
Expedition, was Don _Alfonso Perez de Guzman_, Duke of _Medina Sidonia_;
and the Admiral was Don _Juan Martinez de Recalde_.
But it was not in _Spain_ only, that such great Preparations were
carrying on, for the Invasion of _England_. For, _Alexander_ Duke of
_Parma_ was also making on his Side prodigious and amazing Preparations,
to assist in this grand Design.
He gathered together out of _Spain_, _France_, _Savoy_, _Italy_,
_Naples_, _Sicily_, _Germany_, and even out of _America_, a very
considerable and choice Army; [21]consisting of about forty thousand
Foot, and three thousand Horse; out of which he selected thirty thousand
Foot, and eighteen hundred Horse, that were to be ready to pass into
_England_. These Troops were quarter’d as follows: [22]Near _Nieuport_
there lay ready thirty Companies of _Italians_; ten of _Walloons_; and
eight of _Scots_, and as many of _Burgundians_: At _Dixmude_ were eighty
Companies of _Netherlanders_; sixty of _Spaniards_; sixty of _Germans_;
and above seven hundred fugitive _English_, _Scots_, and _Irish_, under
the Command of Sir _William Stanley_, and _Charles Nevil_ Earl of
_Westmoreland_. There were moreover four thousand Men posted at
_Corrick_, and nine hundred at _Watene_.
For the Transportation of these Forces, the Duke of _Parma_ prepar’d
Ships at _Nieuport_, _Dunkirk_, _Antwerp_, and other Places; and caused
some new ones to be built with such Expedition, that they seem’d, as
_Strada_ expresses it, [23]to be transform’d in a Moment, from Trees
into Ships.
More particularly: [24]In the River of _Watten_ he caused seventy
flat-bottom’d Boats to be built, each of which could carry thirty
Horses; and to each of them were Bridges fitted for the convenient
Shipping, or Landing of the Horses. There were in most of them, two
Ovens for baking Bread, with a great Quantity of Saddles, Bridles,
Harness, and a good Number of Draught-Horses, to draw the Engines,
Cannons, and other Ammunition, after the _Spaniards_ should be landed.
Of the same Form he had provided two hundred other Vessels at
_Nieuport_, but not so large. And at _Dunkirk_ he had assembled thirty
eight Men of War; for the navigating of which, he had hired Sailors from
_Bremen_, _Hamburgh_, _Emden_, and _Genoa_. In their Ballast he had put
a great Quantity of Beams, or thick Planks, sharpned at the Ends, and
covered with Iron; but full of Clasps and Hooks on the Sides, that they
might be easily joined together. At _Graveling_, he had provided twenty
thousand Casks, which might in a short Time be fastened together with
Nails and Cords, and reduced into the Form of a Bridge. Whatever, in a
Word, was necessary for making Bridges, or for choaking up the Mouths of
Havens and Rivers, was by him got in readiness. And he had even caused a
great Pile of wooden Faggots to be laid near _Nieuport_, for erecting a
Mount or Rampart. Whilst he was thus furnishing himself with all proper
Vessels and other Necessaries, he caused the shallow and sandy Places of
Rivers to be cleared; and had deep Channels cut in proper Places, from
_Ghent_ to _Ysendyck_, _Sluys_, and _Nieuport_, on purpose to convey the
Ships built at _Antwerp_, _Ghent_, _&c._ into the Sea. Finally, he
assembled at _Bruges_ above one hundred Hoys loaden with Provisions,
which he designed to bring into the Ports of _Flanders_, either by the
Way of _Sluys_, or through the forementioned Channels.
The Duke of _Guise_ had also twelve thousand Men on the Coast of
_Normandy_, ready to land in the West of _England_ as soon as the
SPANISH ARMADA had enter’d the Channel[25]; but the _Spaniards_ coming
two Months later than they intended, (or for some other Reasons) the
Duke dismissed his Forces about the End of _June_.
And that this famous Expedition might be supported with spiritual as
well as temporal Weapons[26], Pope _Sixtus_ V created _William Allen_, a
seditious _English_ Priest, Cardinal; and sent him as his Legate into
the _Low-Countries_, with a Bull; wherein, after enumerating the several
Causes of Complaint the See of _Rome_ had against Queen _Elizabeth_,
(namely her suppressing the Catholic Religion, her putting the Queen of
_Scots_ to Death, _&c._) he renewed and confirmed the Sentence of
Excommunication pronounced against her by his Predecessors _Pius_ V and
_Gregory_ XIII, deprived her, as illegitimate, and an Usurper, from all
Princely Dignity, and Dominion over the Kingdoms of _England_ and
_Ireland_; absolved her Subjects from their Allegiance; and strictly
enjoined them, upon Pain of GOD Almighty’s Displeasure, not to lend her
any Help or Assistance, but to join the _Spanish_ Army, and the Duke of
_Parma_’s Forces, as soon as they should be landed: Promising withal a
plenary Indulgence and the Pardon of all their Sins, to as many as would
engage in so laudable an Undertaking.
* * * * *
Such were the extraordinary Preparations made by the _Spaniards_ for
invading _England_. Preparations so great and so dreadful, that all
_Europe_ was alarmed at them. Most Sovereigns expected for some Time,
with the utmost Horror and Astonishment, where the threatening Storm,
which had been so long gathering, would at last fall. But this, though
kept as a great Secret, did not long escape the great Sir _Francis
Walsingham_’s Sagacity. [27]He had Intelligence from _Madrid_, that King
_Philip_ had told his Council, he had dispatched an Express to _Rome_
with a Letter writ with his own Hand to the Pope, acquainting him with
the true Design of his Preparations, and asking his Blessing upon it;
which for some Reasons he would not yet disclose to them, ’till the
Return of the Courier. The Secret being thus lodg’d with the Pope,
_Walsingham_, by the means of a _Venetian_ Priest retain’d at _Rome_ as
his Spy, got a Copy of the original Letter, which was stolen out of the
Pope’s Cabinet by a Gentleman of the Bed-Chamber, who took the Keys out
of the Pope’s Pocket whilst he slept. Upon this Intelligence
_Walsingham_ found a Way to retard the _Spanish_ Invasion for a whole
Year, by getting the _Spanish_ Bills protested at _Genoa_, which should
have supplied them with Money to carry on their Preparations.
Queen _Elizabeth_, it may well be supposed, could not help being
extremely anxious about the issue of the great and dreadful Preparations
that were going on, to deprive her of her Crown and Dignity, and perhaps
of her [28]Life. This inclined her more readily to embrace some
Overtures of Peace, made to her by the _Spaniard_[29]: But it being soon
found out that they were intended only to lull her asleep, and induce
her, by depending upon a Peace, to be careless of her own Defence; and
moreover, _Henry_ III King of _France_ sending her Word, [30]she ought
to stand upon her Guard; she did not therefore rely much on the
Negociations in hand, but took all proper Measures for securing herself,
and protecting her Dominions.
Her Situation was indeed very melancholy, and her Fears well grounded:
For she was without so much as one Ally abroad, except the
_United-Provinces_, which themselves wanted Assistance; and at home she
had a factious and discontented Party, ready to join with the Enemy:
But, by the Assistance of Heaven, by her good Management, and the
sincere Affection of the Generality of her People, she surmounted all
Difficulties, and came off Conqueror.
When she was sure the _Spaniards_ Preparations were design’d against
her, that she might not be taken unprovided, she fitted out as strong a
Fleet as she possibly could; and herein so great was the Diligence of
her Subjects, [31]that though her Preparations were begun but about the
1st of _November_ 1587, yet her Fleet was ready to put to Sea by the
20th of _December_ the same Year.
[32]_Charles_ Lord _Howard_ of _Effingham_, High Admiral of _England_, a
Person of great Prudence and Bravery, was appointed Commander in Chief
of this whole Fleet. His Instructions were, To repair to the Westward,
in conjunction with Sir _Francis Drake_ Vice-Admiral, and Captain _John
Hawkins_, and Captain _Martin Frobisher_ Rear-Admirals: At the same
Time, the Lord _Henry Seymour_, second Son of the late Duke of
_Somerset_, had Orders to lye on the Coast of _Flanders_, with forty
_English_ and _Dutch_ Ships (the latter under the Command of _Justin_ of
_Nassau_, Admiral of _Zealand_) to prevent the Duke of _Parma_’s putting
out to Sea with his Forces.
For Land Service, there were disposed along the Southern Coasts of
_England_ twenty thousand Men. Besides which, two Armies were raised of
choice, well-disciplin’d, and experienced Men; one (under the Command of
_Robert Dudley_ Earl of _Leicester_, consisting of one thousand Horse,
and twenty two thousand Foot,) was encamped at _Tilbury_, near the
_Thames_ Mouth, for the Safeguard of the City of _London_; because it
was given out that the _Spaniards_, after having joined the Duke of
_Parma_, intended to come up the _Thames_, in order to make themselves
Masters of the Metropolis of the Kingdom. The other Army, under the
Command of _Henry Carey_ Lord _Hunsdon_, consisted of thirty four
thousand Foot, and two thousand Horse, and was destined to guard the
Queen’s Person.
_Arthur_ Lord _Grey_, Sir _Francis Knolles_, Sir _John Norris_, Sir
_Richard Bingham_, and Sir _Roger Williams_, Knights, and excellent
Soldiers, were chosen to consult about the best Way of managing the War
at Land. After mature Deliberation, they thought fit that the most
convenient Landing-Places for the Enemy, as well out of _Spain_ as out
of the _Low-Countries_, should be well mann’d and fortify’d, namely
_Milford-Haven_, _Falmouth_, _Plymouth_, _Portland_, the Isle of
_Wight_, _Portsmouth_, the open Coast of _Kent_ called the _Downs_, the
_Thames_ Mouth, _Harwich_, _Yarmouth_, _Hull_, _&c._ that the Train’d
Bands, all along the Maritime Counties, should meet in Arms upon a
Signal given, to defend the said Ports, and do their best to prevent the
Enemy’s landing; and, in Case of their landing, that they should lay all
the Country waste round about, and leave neither Booty nor Forage for
them; that they should annoy them Night and Day with continual Alarms,
so as to give them no Rest; but not venture the Hazard of a Battle,
’till more Commanders with their Companies should come up; of whom one
in every Shire was nominated Chief.
Moreover, the active Queen, in order to quicken the Zeal and Diligence
of her Subjects, especially of those who lay near the Sea-Coasts, caused
Letters to be sent to the chief of them: Wherein, after putting them in
mind of the common and imminent Danger the whole Nation was in, she told
them, that she “expected on this extraordinary Occasion, a larger
Proportion of Furniture, both for Horsemen and Footmen; thereby to be in
their best Strength against any Attempt whatsoever, to be employed,
whether about her own Person, or otherwise. And the Number she required
them to signify to her Privy-Council[33].” She required moreover the
Nobility in the several Counties, to provide themselves, and their
Servants and Dependants in like manner, with Horses and Armour, to be
ready to repair upon Summons to the Queen, for Defence of her Person:
And to this Purpose Letters were address’d to them from the Lords of the
Council, by her Command.
Such were the Directions given. [34]And accordingly Cities, Counties,
Towns, and Villages, the Cinque-Ports, and all other Havens of
_England_, manifested as great Forwardness in their zealous Love and
Duty, as either Subjects could perform, or Prince expect. The City of
_London_, in particular, being requested by the Privy-Council, to find
five thousand Men, and fifteen Ships, they willingly and cheerfully
furnished thirty Ships provided with all Necessaries, and ten thousand
able Men, well armed and trained; besides which, they kept in readiness
thirty thousand Men more, prepared to march wherever there should be
Occasion[35]; and also lent the Queen fifty one thousand nine hundred
Pounds, in ready Money.
Then, as to the rest of the Nation: [36]As soon as it was reported that
the Queen was come near _London_, and the _Spanish_ Fleet appeared in
the Channel, the greatest Part of the Nobility, except those that were
obliged to stay in each County on account of their Offices, repaired to
_London_, to preserve the Queen’s Person; bringing with them goodly
Bands of Horsemen, about five thousand in all, and maintaining them at
their own Charge ’till the _Spanish_ Navy was known to be passed beyond
_Scotland_: These were the Lord Chancellor _Hatton_, the Earls of
_Lincoln_, _Warwick_, _Leicester_, _Essex_, _Worcester_, and _Hereford_;
the Lord Viscount _Montacute_; the Lords _Burghley_, _Compton_,
_Morley_, _Rich_, _Dacres_, _Windsor_, _Audley_, _Sandes_, _Mordaunt_,
_Lumley_, _Mountjoy_, _Stourton_, and _Darcy_.
In a Word, all Persons throughout _England_ in general, unanimously
concurred to be ready to serve for the Defence of the Queen and
Kingdom[37]: In this there was no Difference between the Catholic and
the Protestant, but herein appeared a perfect Sympathy, Concourse, and
Consent of all Sorts of Persons, without respect of Religion. By this
hearty Zeal, seconded with suitable Endeavours, it came to pass, that
some Counties were able to bring into the Field twenty thousand, and
others even forty thousand able fighting Men: The Maritime Counties, in
particular, on the South and East of _England_, from _Cornwall_ to
_Lincolnshire_, were so well furnished with a stout and well regulated
Militia, that there was no Place for landing foreign Forces, but within
eight and forty Hours there could resort to that Place above twenty
thousand fighting Men, with Ordnance and other suitable Provisions.
And that the Popish discontented Party at home might neither join the
Enemy, nor favour their Descent, the Queen caused the most obnoxious of
them to be imprisoned in _Wisbich-Castle_ in the Isle of _Ely_.
She also directed [38]Sir _William Fitz-Williams_, Lord Deputy of
_Ireland_, what to do, in case the Enemy should land in any Part of his
Government, and pointed out to him what Precautions he should use to
hinder the _Irish_ from rising.
There remained only the King of _Scots_, of whom Queen _Elizabeth_ had
most Reason to be afraid; since she had newly given him an unpardonable
Provocation, namely, in causing his Mother to be publickly beheaded, who
was a Sovereign Princess, independent of her. This was sufficient to
dispose him, out of a Principle of Revenge, to favour the Descent of the
_Spaniards_ in one Extremity of the Kingdom, by making a Diversion in
the other. With that View he had been tampered with by the Duke of
_Parma_, and had received from him Offers of Assistance[39]: But the
politic Queen so effectually caress’d him, made him such advantageous
Proposals, and so plainly convinc’d him, that the Loss of _England_
would not fail of being attended with that of _Scotland_[40]; that he,
sensible of the common Danger wherewith he was threatened, declar’d the
_Spaniards_ Enemies, and made Preparations against them with great
Chearfulness and Alacrity: [41]Giving a strict Charge upon all the
Sea-Coasts, that the _Spaniards_ should not be suffered to land in any
Part, but that the _English_ might land, and be reliev’d of any Wants:
[42]He moreover offer’d Queen _Elizabeth_ his Forces, his Person, and
all that he could command, to be employed against the common Enemy: And
he humourously observ’d upon this Occasion[43], _That he look’d for no
other Favour from the Spaniards, than what_ Polyphemus _promis’d_
Ulysses, _that he should be reserv’d for the last Morsel_.
* * * * *
After this general Account, the Reader will undoubtedly be pleased to
see a particular List of the Fleets on both Sides, which I have
accordingly subjoined hereunto.