What was the Spanish Armada and how did Queen Elizabeth I respond to it?

What was the Spanish Armada and how did Queen Elizabeth I respond to it?

The Spanish Armada was a fleet of Spanish ships sent by King Philip II of Spain in 1588 with the intention of invading England and overthrowing Queen Elizabeth I. It consisted of around 130 ships and over 20,000 men.

Queen Elizabeth I responded to the Spanish Armada by rallying her troops and navy, and inspiring her people with a famous speech at Tilbury. She appointed Lord Howard of Effingham as the commander of the English fleet and Sir Francis Drake as vice admiral. The English navy engaged the Spanish Armada in a series of battles known as the Battle of Gravelines, where they used their smaller and more maneuverable ships to their advantage. The English also employed fire ships, causing panic among the Spanish fleet.

Ultimately, the Spanish Armada was defeated and forced to retreat, largely due to the strategic skills of the English navy and adverse weather conditions. This victory boosted England's confidence and marked a turning point in the Anglo-Spanish rivalry, establishing England as a major naval power and solidifying Queen Elizabeth I's reign.