National Archives, Extract from a letter to English government giving details about the progress of the Armada
Transcription:
By l[ett]res written from Lisbon the 7 of May stilo nuovo by a Captain of an Italian shippe serving in the Spa-nish fleet, it is advertised th[at] at that instant all thinges were in readiness for the departure of the fleet th[at] all both soldiers and shippes had receaved two monthes pay, having due above seven.
In the said Captaines shippe were imbarked Don Alonso di Lieva generall of the Spanish footmen and with him to the number of 700 soldiors and mariners w[h]ich areabout 150. That they had taken in five peeces of Artigliery above the ordinary furniture of the shippe w[h]ich were great. That the whole fleet consisteth of between 125 and 130 vesselles great and small. The great shippes are about 73. There are also 4 galeasses and 4 gallyes. The number of the soldiors between ten and eleven thowsand besides the marriners. although it be given out that they are a great manie more.
The Duke of Medina Sidonia is generall of the entire prise, accompanied with a good number of gent[lemen].
A curri[e]r come from Spaigne and passed thorough Roan to the Duke of Parma, reported for certain th[at] the fleet were departed from Lisbona.
In Calais there is arrived a Spanish Shippe w[hi]ch departed from Lisbona fower dayes after the fleet w[hi]ch may be an argument th[at] not want of winde but for some other cause it stayeth at the Groyne.
This document shows that the English were fully aware of the Spanish Armada's emergence. The information about the armada helped the English to get ready for their battle. The leadership of Queen Elizabeth may have never been seen if the English had no knowledge of the Spanish Armada.
Transcription:
By l[ett]res written from Lisbon the 7 of May stilo nuovo by a Captain of an Italian shippe serving in the Spa-nish fleet, it is advertised th[at] at that instant all thinges were in readiness for the departure of the fleet th[at] all both soldiers and shippes had receaved two monthes pay, having due above seven.
In the said Captaines shippe were imbarked Don Alonso di Lieva generall of the Spanish footmen and with him to the number of 700 soldiors and mariners w[h]ich areabout 150. That they had taken in five peeces of Artigliery above the ordinary furniture of the shippe w[h]ich were great. That the whole fleet consisteth of between 125 and 130 vesselles great and small. The great shippes are about 73. There are also 4 galeasses and 4 gallyes. The number of the soldiors between ten and eleven thowsand besides the marriners. although it be given out that they are a great manie more.
The Duke of Medina Sidonia is generall of the entire prise, accompanied with a good number of gent[lemen].
A curri[e]r come from Spaigne and passed thorough Roan to the Duke of Parma, reported for certain th[at] the fleet were departed from Lisbona.
In Calais there is arrived a Spanish Shippe w[hi]ch departed from Lisbona fower dayes after the fleet w[hi]ch may be an argument th[at] not want of winde but for some other cause it stayeth at the Groyne.
This document shows that the English were fully aware of the Spanish Armada's emergence. The information about the armada helped the English to get ready for their battle. The leadership of Queen Elizabeth may have never been seen if the English had no knowledge of the Spanish Armada.
National Archives, A Spanish Captain’s Account of the Events
Transcription:
The examinac[i]on of Don Lewes de Cordua in Andolozia
Don Lewse de Cordua in Andolozia: Capten of the Companie cast on shoare in S[i]r Morogh ne doe his Contry, saieth upon his examinac[i]on, that when the Spanishe fleete came before Plymouthe they were 140 Saile of all sorts whereof iiijxx and xvj were greate shippes for the fight, and the rest were patasses and small vessells for carriage, At which place they mett w[ith] 70 of the Quenes shippes or there abouts. The Quenes shippes gatt into the winde of them and shott at them, they kepeing on theire marche towards Callice, answeared the shott which continewed about ij or iij hower, In which skirmishe Don Pedro and his shipp were taken, being throwen behinde his companie, by reason of a shott that brake his maine mast.
The next day was calme & therefore nothing don betwene them, but a shipp of 700 tonne was burned by negligence among the Spaniards, but most of her men saved. The 3[rd] daie they skirmished 5 or 6 howers w[ith]out any shipp lost. The 4[th] day they fought 4 howres w[ith[out any shipp lost. The 5[th] day they came before Callis, and there anchored & cheyned them selves, at which tyme there came to succor of the Quenes shippes 25 more: And in the night they perceaved 6 shippes falling upon them fired: by reason whererof they were dryven to cutt theire Cables and sett saile: att which tyme a greate shipp was burned among them, and a Galleas cast awaie on the sands. After which thenglishe shippes entred into a sharpe fyght w[i]t[h] them wherein 2 of theire greatest Galleons were so beaten, that they were dryven to come a shore upon fflaunders, or those parts havinge disburdened theire men in theire other shippes.
That day if the fire had not broken them they had determined to have putt 7000 men on shoare att Callis to have gon to the prince of Parma to have knowen further his pleasure, for that they were from thence to be directed by him and had some Com[m]ission unto him not opened att all but lost in the shipp that was there burnt, but being p[re]vented by the saide fire they were broken, and so fought w[ith] all and followed 3 dayes after that out of sight of the Coast, and that the Quenes shippes left them, & retorned shoteing off a greate vollue of ordinaunce for ioye. After this the Duke of Medina assembled all his forc[e]s that were lefte, and founde that he had lost but six shippes of all sorts. And then gave order for them to retorne to Spaine: But about Norway the greate tempest tooke them, & beate those men nowe prisoners to this Coaste, of which Coast the Duke had before geven them greate charge to take heede.
This document shows an account of how a Spaniard saw their defeat against England. They were actually confident of their power, but the leadership and tactics from the English led to the defeat and chaos of the Spanish Armada. The defeat of the Spanish left a mark in history as shifts in power were made and events led to other events in the changing world of history.
Transcription:
The examinac[i]on of Don Lewes de Cordua in Andolozia
Don Lewse de Cordua in Andolozia: Capten of the Companie cast on shoare in S[i]r Morogh ne doe his Contry, saieth upon his examinac[i]on, that when the Spanishe fleete came before Plymouthe they were 140 Saile of all sorts whereof iiijxx and xvj were greate shippes for the fight, and the rest were patasses and small vessells for carriage, At which place they mett w[ith] 70 of the Quenes shippes or there abouts. The Quenes shippes gatt into the winde of them and shott at them, they kepeing on theire marche towards Callice, answeared the shott which continewed about ij or iij hower, In which skirmishe Don Pedro and his shipp were taken, being throwen behinde his companie, by reason of a shott that brake his maine mast.
The next day was calme & therefore nothing don betwene them, but a shipp of 700 tonne was burned by negligence among the Spaniards, but most of her men saved. The 3[rd] daie they skirmished 5 or 6 howers w[ith]out any shipp lost. The 4[th] day they fought 4 howres w[ith[out any shipp lost. The 5[th] day they came before Callis, and there anchored & cheyned them selves, at which tyme there came to succor of the Quenes shippes 25 more: And in the night they perceaved 6 shippes falling upon them fired: by reason whererof they were dryven to cutt theire Cables and sett saile: att which tyme a greate shipp was burned among them, and a Galleas cast awaie on the sands. After which thenglishe shippes entred into a sharpe fyght w[i]t[h] them wherein 2 of theire greatest Galleons were so beaten, that they were dryven to come a shore upon fflaunders, or those parts havinge disburdened theire men in theire other shippes.
That day if the fire had not broken them they had determined to have putt 7000 men on shoare att Callis to have gon to the prince of Parma to have knowen further his pleasure, for that they were from thence to be directed by him and had some Com[m]ission unto him not opened att all but lost in the shipp that was there burnt, but being p[re]vented by the saide fire they were broken, and so fought w[ith] all and followed 3 dayes after that out of sight of the Coast, and that the Quenes shippes left them, & retorned shoteing off a greate vollue of ordinaunce for ioye. After this the Duke of Medina assembled all his forc[e]s that were lefte, and founde that he had lost but six shippes of all sorts. And then gave order for them to retorne to Spaine: But about Norway the greate tempest tooke them, & beate those men nowe prisoners to this Coaste, of which Coast the Duke had before geven them greate charge to take heede.
This document shows an account of how a Spaniard saw their defeat against England. They were actually confident of their power, but the leadership and tactics from the English led to the defeat and chaos of the Spanish Armada. The defeat of the Spanish left a mark in history as shifts in power were made and events led to other events in the changing world of history.