Spanish Armada Gallery

The Spanish Armada which threatened England in July 1588

The Spanish Armada which threatened England in July 1588. The ships of the Spanish fleet are shown in combat with British vessels. The Armada, a fleet of 130 ships under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia was intended to protect an invasion force commanded by the Duke of Parma as it crossed the English Channel. Harrassment from the smaller, more manoeuvrable vessels of the British Navy, the use of fireships and unfavourable weather conditions meant that the Armada could not achieve its objective of guaranteeing Parma's barges safe passage across the Channel. Ultimately the Armada was swept up the North Sea and much of it was destroyed in storms around the coasts of Scotland and Ireland. Painting in the collection of the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, England

© Ann Ronan Picture Library / Heritage-Images

A chart shewing the several places of action between the English and Spanish fleets

6011320 A chart shewing the several places of action between the English and Spanish fleets, with the places where several of the Spanish ships were destroyed in their return to Spain, north about the Bristish Islands (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A chart shewing the several places of action between the English and Spanish fleets, with the places where several of the Spanish ships were destroyed in their return to Spain, north about the Bristish Islands. Illustration for The Story of the Armada (T Nelson, 1887).); A© Look and Learn; English, out of copyright

© © Look and Learn / Bridgeman Images

Charles Howard, First Earl of Nottingham, from Honor Military, and Civill, William Segar

3051724 Charles Howard, First Earl of Nottingham, from Honor Military, and Civill, William Segar, pub. Robert Barker, London, 1602 (hand coloured engraving) by Rogers, William (c.1545-1610); Private Collection; (add.info.: Carol. D. Howard. Comes Notingham. Summ Angl. Admiral. Georgianae periscelidis Eques Auratus; representing the Order of the Garter; Charles Howard, First Earl of Nottingham (1536 - 1624);); The Stapleton Collection; English, out of copyright

© The Stapleton Collection / Bridgeman Images