aug 8, 1588 - Battle of Gravelines

Description:

When the Spanish finally did launch their seemingly larger-than-life fleet to invade England in 1588, Lord Howard of Effingham was appointed as the commander of the fleet sent to stop them. Drake was appointed as his Vice-Admiral, though he was credited for the creative and incredibly effective tactics by which the Spanish Armada was defeated. This involves exploiting the English advantage that the Dutch Duke of Parma had no joined the Spanish to reinforce the Armada, and sent eight flaming ships into the fleet that were currently anchored at Calais harbor in France. The Spanish ships hurriedly evacuated the harbor even though no ships are on record to be lit on fire, where they engaged on a day long battle with the English fleet, called the Battle of Gravelines. Although Drake is credited with having the historic role in the battle, he is not known to have been part of any of the fighting. The prevailing southwest winds were against the Armada and they sailed northward in disarray, suffering from illness, storms, and Lord Howard’s fleet constantly attacking them for three days.
The battle would go on to mark the start of England’s position as a global power, Spain’s downfall from a global power, and the most famous conflict in Queen Elizabeth I’s reign.

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