The Spanish Armada, 1588 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Built a huge navy of the finest ships

Without the burden of paying for a war, England became prosperous and in 1568 Elizabeth used money to increase the size of the navy. The new ships that were built were faster and easier to steer than before.

Answer: The English navy seized a Spanish treasure ship bound for the Netherlands.

At the time the Netherlands was was controlled by Spain. The northern (Calvinist) provinces had just embarked on their great rebellion against Spanish rule. Philip II of Spain was livid and relations between England and Spain worsened.

Answer: Drake was deemed to deal privately whilst Europe was supposed to have free trading laws

Philip was also annoyed that Elizabeth had restored Protestantism in England. His anger with England increased further after Elizabeth knighted Francis Drake. The countries of Europe had an agreement that there would be free trade between them. Drake, however, preferred to trade privately and Philip saw Elizabeth's knighthood of him as an insult to the free trade agreement and began to prepare for war.

Answer: Philip made plans for a fleet of 130 Spanish ships to block the Channel and allow the Duke of Parma to invade England

Philip made plans for a fleet of 130 Spanish ships to block the Channel and allow the Duke of Parma to invade England.

When Elizabeth ordered the execution of Catholic Mary Queen of Scots in 1587, Philip increased the numbers of ships bound for England and planned an invasion force. Once again his plans were upset by Drake who managed to enter Spanish waters and burn large numbers of the ships bound for England.

It was July 1588 before Philip's Armada was ready to set sail.

Answer: Medina Sidonia

Warning beacons were lit all along the South Coast and the English navy was put to sea.

The English defending fleet, commanded by Lord Howard of Effingham, included a ship captained by Drake. Effingham sailed in the 'Ark Royal', which had been built for Sir Walter Raleigh in 1581, while Drake captained 'The Revenge'. However, instead of concentrating all his resources in the straits of Dunkirk as Philip had thought he would, Effingham stationed a large contingent at Plymouth to shield the south-west coast from a direct landing.

The story is told that Drake was playing a game of bowls when the Armada was sighted, but insisted on completing the game before setting sail.

Answer: Calais

The fleet sailed on from the Lizard to Calais to meet the Duke of Parma. However, on reaching Calais, the Duke of Parma was not to be seen. The Armada dropped anchor to await his arrival.

Answer: Cannons

A change of wind blew the Armada northwards out of the range of English fire. However, the wind turned into a gale and the Spanish were driven further north and many were dashed on the Northern rocks. The survivors were forced to make their way round the Orkneys and down the west coast of Ireland. The remains of the proud Armada limped home to Spain.

Answer: True

The defeat of the Armada may not have been due to the superiority of the English. Examination of cannon balls found on the bottom of the North Sea has shown that Spanish cannonballs were not all the same size. Different sizes of gun required different sizes of cannonballs.

It has been suggested that the Spanish ships were not equipped with the right cannonballs for the guns on board their ships and were therefore unable to fire on the English ships that attacked them. They therefore chose to retreat, possibly hoping to land in the Netherlands.

The high winds prevented them from reaching port and dashed the ships against the rocks of northern Scotland.

Answer: A military vessel loaded with explosives and combustible material and set adrift among enemy ships or fortifications to destroy them

The English used this tactic as stated elsewhere to huge effect.
The Armada had sailed in a tight formation in a manner to suggest that they were ready to fight en masse.

Answer: the heart and stomach of a king and of a king of England too

The whole speech was written days after the Armada's demise, it is as follows:

"My loving people, we have been persuaded by some, that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit ourselves to armed multitudes, for fear of treachery; but I assure you, I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people. Let tyrants fear; I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good will of my subjects. And therefore I am come amongst you at this time, not as for my recreation or sport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live or die amongst you all; to lay down, for my God, and for my kingdom, and for my people, my honor and my blood, even the dust. I know I have but the body of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart of a king, and of a king of England, too; and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realms: to which, rather than any dishonor should grow by me, I myself will take up arms; I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field. I know already, by your forwardness, that you have deserved rewards and crowns; and we do assure you, on the word of a prince, they shall be duly paid you. In the mean my lieutenant general shall be in my stead, than whom never prince commanded a more noble and worthy subject; not doubting by your obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp, and by your valor in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over the enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people."

Elizabeth I of England - 1588

All information used was that of work I have used in the classroom teaching Key Stage 3 students (aged 11-13).