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==Introduction==
The defeat and destruction of the Spanish Armada (1588) was a Spanish invasion fleet and its defeat is seen by many as the high point of Elizabeth I’s of England’s reign. If the Armada had been successful then it could have changed the course of English and indeed, world history. The defeat of the Armada was to have profound consequences for England. The first consequence of the English victory was that it secured the independence of that kingdom. The defeat of the Armada led to England becoming a great naval power and this was to prove important in the foundation of the future British Empire. As a result of the failed invasion, by Catholic Spain, England became more self-consciously Protestant and, Catholicism became very unpopular and seen as anti-English. The defeat of the Armada was an act of God divine providence and it confirmed the opinion of many that England was a kingdom that was destined for greatness and this was to play a very important role in English national identity for many centuries.
[[File: Armada 4.jpg|200px|thumb|left| A contemporary painting of the Armada]]
==Background==
In the sixteenth century, Europe was divided into two mutually hostile religious groups. The North of Europe was dominated by Protestantism and the south was mainly Catholic. England had become a Protestant realm by the mid-sixteenth century, but this was opposed by many Catholics. 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’ <ref> Duffy, E. Stripping of the Altars (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2000), p. 113</re>. Queen Elizabeth, I initially pursued a moderate religious policy to minimize religious conflict between Catholic and Protestant. However, Elizabeth soon found herself under pressure from the great Catholic power of the time, Spain. It was the dominant Catholic power in Europe because of its vast territories in Europe and the Americas. The Spanish King Phillip II was an ardent Catholic and he had two ambitions, the first was to return the Protestants to the Catholic faith and to expand the power of Spain. The Spanish King had been married to Mary I of England and it seemed that for a time that England would become part of the Spanish dominions. However, the coronation of Elizabeth I had changed all of this and she was determined on a policy of independence from Spain. Spain wanted to force the English back into the Catholic fold and to end the attacks of English pirates on their shipping and colonies in the Americas. Elizabeth, I had encouraged English privateers, such as Sir Francis Drake to mount attacks on Spanish targets. Elizabeth sought to limit the power of Spain and to secure some of the riches ‘of the America colonies for her subjects’ <ref> Holmes, Richard. The Oxford Companion to Military History (Oxford, Oxford University Press. 2001), p. 214</ref>. The English Queen also supported the Dutch in their revolt against Phillip II. Relations between Spain and England began to deteriorate and by the mid-1580s the two countries were in an undeclared war, that was to last the rest of Elizabeth’s reign. Spain was the richest and the most powerful Empire in Europe and Phillip decided that he would invade England, believing it would help him to secure many of his strategic objectives. The Spanish presented the Armada as a Catholic crusade and it was partially funded by the Papacy.
