book on eglands naval supremacy after defest of spanish armada

He believed that it would help him secure many of Europe's strategic objectives if he were successful. Spain was the richest and the most powerful Empire in Europe, and Phillip decided to invade England. A war that was to last until the end of Elizabeth’s reign. Relations between Spain and England deteriorated rapidly, and by the mid-1580s, the two countries were in an undeclared war. Elizabeth sought to limit Spain's power and secure some of the riches ‘of the american colonies for her subjects.’ The English Queen also supported the Dutch in their revolt against Phillip II. On the other hand, Spain wanted to force the English back into the Catholic fold and end the English pirates' attacks on their ships and colonies in the Americas.Įlizabeth, I had encouraged English privateers, such as Sir Francis Drake, to mount attacks on Spanish targets. However, Elizabeth I's coronation had fundamentally altered this dynamic because she was determined to maintain England's independence from Spain. The Spanish King had been married to Mary I of England, and it seemed that England would fall under Spanish influence for a time.

Second, he hoped to expand the growing power of Spain.

First, he wanted to return all Protestants to the Catholic faith. The Spanish King Phillip II was an ardent Catholic, and he had two primary ambitions. Spain's influence reaches stretched across Europe and into the Americas.

However, Elizabeth soon found herself under pressure from Spain - the preeminent Catholic power in the world. Contrary to popular belief, Catholicism had been popular in England before the Reformation, and many people still sympathized with what they called the ‘old religion.’ Queen Elizabeth the First initially pursued a moderate religious policy to minimize religious conflict between Catholic and Protestant.

England had become an increasing Protestant state in the mid-sixteenth century. Protestants' regimes dominated northern Europe, and the south was mainly Catholic. King Phillip II of Spain-mortal enemy of Elizabeth IIn the sixteenth century, Europe was divided into two mutually hostile religious groups.

Book on eglands naval supremacy after defest of spanish armada