![]() This was the Spanish Armada, a fleet of armed ships sailing towards England in a crescent formation. However, this trapped them in the North Sea, and forced them to return to Spain by sailing around the north coast of Scotland and then down the west coast of Ireland - a perilous journey in which the fleet suffered the loss of many ships and men. The greatest challenge to Elizabeth was first sighted in the English Channel on 29 July 1588. Sir Francis Drake was an English sailor and pirate who achieved fame fighting against the Spanish Armada, plundering Spanish galleons and traveling around the globe. Then the wind changed, and the Spanish were able to escape to the north-east. The wind was driving them towards shallow water, increasing the risk that the entire fleet could have been grounded. Wind was another problem for the Spanish fleet. ![]() An eight-hour battle raged in poor weather conditions until ammunition was exhausted. The following day saw a prolonged battle with the English fleet, which had the advantage of lighter, better-armed ships, able to fire on the Spanish Armada without having to get too close. Whilst the fire-ships didn't significantly damage the Spanish ships, the effect was to break-up the Armada's battle formation as ships took avoiding action and cut their anchors to move out of the way. Drake had used this tactic successfully in his raid on Cadiz and the effect at Calais was similar - creating panic and fear amongst the Spanish. Moored in Calais awaiting the arrival of Spanish troops led by the Duke of Palma, the Spanish Armada was first attacked on 6 August 1588 by unmanned English fire-ships which were set alight and sailed towards the Spanish fleet. The Battle of Gravelines was an important event in the English defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588.
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