Osprey Elite 15 : The Armada Campaign 1588

In the latter part of the 16th century, Spain was the major international power and either ruled, colonised, or exercised influence over much of the known world. Spanish power was at it's height and Spain's leader, King Phillip II, pledged to conquer the Protestant heretics in England and convert them to the Church of Rome. To accomplish the conquest of England, Phillip planned a two pronged attack. He would send his "Invincible Armada" of 125 ships into the English Channel where it would link up with the Duke of Parma in the Spanish Netherlands at Calais. The Armada would ferry the Duke's soldiers across the straight of Dover and these troops would march on London, seize the Queen, and proceed to conquer the entire country. Over 400 years have passed since this momentous expedition 'sailed and failed', but its fascination and significance have not diminished over time. A phenomenon born of the turbulence of the high Tudor period, the story of the Armada is one of political and religious strife, on a European level: King Phillip II of Spain sent the greatest fleet the world had seen to destroy and subjugate Elizabeth I. John Tincey narrates the unfolding of events, and focuses on the troops and equipment of the opposing sides accompanied by illustrations by Richard Hook.

Contents

• Introduction
• Spanish Invasion Plans
• The Army of Flanders
• The 'Armada Fight'
• England's Defensive Preparations
• The Militia
• The Muster Certificates
• The Feudal Levy
• Could the Armada Have Succeeded
• The Plates