The Spanish Armada made an effort, July 25, 1588, to land and take
possession of the Isle of Wight, when a spirited engagement took place,
which caused the Spanish admiral to pursue his course to Calais Roads.
The next day the Lord High Admiral of the English fleet called on board
of his own ship, the “Arke-Royal,” and conferred the honor of knighthood
on the Lord Thomas Howard, the Lord Sheffield Roger Townshend, Martin
Frobisher, and John Hawkins, as a reward for their undaunted spirit and
bravery in this great fight at sea, having power from the Queen so to
do.
As brief biographical sketches of these important commanders may be
interesting, the following have been taken from various historical,
biographical, and genealogical works:—