In the 16th century Elizabeth I ruled England and Philip II was King of Spain. To begin with Elizabeth and Philip were friendly towards each other. Philip had been married to Elizabeth’s sister Mary and for a while Philip considered marrying Elizabeth.

Philip ruled a vast empire, which included the Netherlands, lands in the Mediterranean as well as colonies in the New World (Caribbean). Spanish ships sailed home across the Atlantic from the Caribbean with cargoes of gold, silver, silk, pearls, emeralds, valuable dyes and sugar.

However from 1562 English ships began to trade there too and started to attack Spanish ships and capture the Spanish treasure. After Drake completed his voyage round the world in 1580 Elizabeth knighted him and in return received 5 packhorses loaded with Spanish treasure.

Gradually Protestant Elizabeth and Catholic Philip became bitter enemies, not just because of their religion. It also had to do with money, power and competition for wealth in the New World.

The Final Sparks leading to the Armada

In the Netherlands Dutch Protestants were trying to break free from Spanish rule. In 1585 Elizabeth sent English soldiers to help the Dutch rebels to fight against the powerful Spanish army. This made Philip very angry.

He now planned an invasion of England and made up his mind to return England to Catholicism.

By now Philip was already building the Armada (invasion fleet), which he intended to use to invade England.

Then in 1587 Elizabeth ordered the execution of Mary Queen of Scots. Mary passed on her claim to the English throne to Philip, which gave Philip even more reason to invade England.