The Spanish Armada

The English met the Spanish Armada in the English Channel and fought aggressively for a week. But when the Spanish Armada fleet reached Calais, it was virtually unharmed. Commander Howard sent eight fire ships crashing into the anchored Spanish Armada fleet and several ships went up in flames.

The Spanish panicked and in the battle that followed, the English sank several more ships. It was a stunning and surprising victory. The Spanish Armada fled for home but it was driven by gales into the North Sea. Many more ships were wrecked in the storm and by the time the mighty Spanish Armada limped into port at Spain, only 67 of the original 130 ships had survived.

Defeat of the Spanish Armada and Spain

The Spanish Armada had been defeated. From that point on, the power of Spain, which for many years had seemed invincible, began to decline. Overnight, England had established itself as a major naval power and had assured its survival as an independent Protestant nation.

England 's war with Spain continued until after Queen Elizabeth I 's death, but never again was the security of England threatened, and never again did any European country consider England anything less than a formidable opponent.

England 's victory and death of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester

The people of England were jubilant over their victory and the courageous leadership of their "Good Queen Bess." Queen Elizabeth I too was jubilant, but her joy was shattered a week later by the death of Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester, and her friend for over thirty years. For the rest of her life, Queen Elizabeth I kept his last letter, written only a week before he died, in a box under her bed. Across the envelope Queen Elizabeth I had scrawled "His last letter." Queen Elizabeth I was said to take the letter out and weep over it for many years after his passing.