Causes of the War
In the 1580's, trouble was brewing in the western part of Europe as relations between the English and the Spanish began to break down. King Phillip, a devout Catholic, was deeply disturbed by the actions of Queen Elizabeth, his late wife's half sister. She was Protestant, and because of the holy war between the Catholics and Protestants, Phillip was horrified that she would prevent the Catholics from obtaining power in court, as well as other things. Ironically, Phillip was instrumental in Elizabeth's ascension to the throne.
Before Phillip's wife, Queen Mary, died, he arranged a meeting between the two of them in the hopes that Mary would allow Elizabeth to succeed her. The reason why Phillip did this is unknown, but after Elizabeth became the Queen of England, relations between the two countries began to decline, mainly because of religious differences.
To add even more tension to the relationship, many new colonies and territories in North and South America were occupied by Spain, which caused many English explorers and privateers jealous. The began sinking Spanish merchant ships and galleons which were full of riches from the new world. These privateers and pirates were protected by England, and this obviously made the Spanish people furious. Between the religious differences and the political setbacks, Spain and England's relationship was doomed to fall apart, and in 1588, it did.
~+~
Before Phillip's wife, Queen Mary, died, he arranged a meeting between the two of them in the hopes that Mary would allow Elizabeth to succeed her. The reason why Phillip did this is unknown, but after Elizabeth became the Queen of England, relations between the two countries began to decline, mainly because of religious differences.
To add even more tension to the relationship, many new colonies and territories in North and South America were occupied by Spain, which caused many English explorers and privateers jealous. The began sinking Spanish merchant ships and galleons which were full of riches from the new world. These privateers and pirates were protected by England, and this obviously made the Spanish people furious. Between the religious differences and the political setbacks, Spain and England's relationship was doomed to fall apart, and in 1588, it did.
~+~
Plans for Invasion
In the late 1580's, King Phillip decided to end the disputes once and for all and began making plans for a massive invasion of England. Although he had thought about releasing an invasion of England many years earlier, Phillip decided that now was a better time than ever. The King's main purpose was to overthrow Elizabeth and restore Catholicism to the English people.
Phillip began assembling a massive armada of ships that were heavily equipped with cannons and large enough to carry many Spanish soldiers. He was planning an naval attack as well as a full force land invasion into the English countryside in an attempt to seize the royal palace in London and overthrow Elizabeth.
The armada would travel through the Bay of Biscay and up into the English Channel. Phillip planned to move his army both on land and on water towards the English capitol of London by way of the Thames River. King Phillip also planned to secure an arena on the Kentish coast were his governor in the Netherlands, the Duke of Parma, would be able to ferry his army over. The force of the two combined armies would supposidly crush the English army.
Phillip began assembling a massive armada of ships that were heavily equipped with cannons and large enough to carry many Spanish soldiers. He was planning an naval attack as well as a full force land invasion into the English countryside in an attempt to seize the royal palace in London and overthrow Elizabeth.
The armada would travel through the Bay of Biscay and up into the English Channel. Phillip planned to move his army both on land and on water towards the English capitol of London by way of the Thames River. King Phillip also planned to secure an arena on the Kentish coast were his governor in the Netherlands, the Duke of Parma, would be able to ferry his army over. The force of the two combined armies would supposidly crush the English army.