The Spanish Armada 1588

The story of the Spanish Armada of 1588 is a gripping account of one of the greatest naval battles in maritime history. Infuriated by continued English support for the revolt against Spanish rule in the Netherlands, and by the recent raid on the harbor of Cadiz by Sir Francis Drake, Phillip II, then at the height of his military power, built a huge Armada for the express purpose of seizing control of the English Channel and launching an invasion of Britain. It would prove to be a humiliating disaster, ruined and defeated by a combination of brilliant British seamanship and the appalling weather that the English Channel is justly famous for. Contemporary reenactments, period imagery, and computer graphics have been combined to create a vivid depiction of this epic naval encounter. A team of leading military historians, including noted author John Tincey, provide expert commentary.