Cassell's History of England, Vol. 2 (of 8) From the Wars of the Roses to the Great Rebellion
CHAPTER XV.
REIGN OF ELIZABETH (_concluded_).
State of Europe on the Death of Mary--Preparations of Philip of Spain--Exploits of English Sailors--Drake Singes the King of Spain's Beard--Preparations against the Armada--Loyalty of the Roman Catholics--Arrival of the Armada in the Channel--Its Disastrous Course and Complete Destruction--Elizabeth at Tilbury--Death of Leicester--Persecution of the Puritans and Catholics--Renewed Expeditions against Spain--Accession of Henry of Navarre to the French Throne--He is helped by Elizabeth--Essex takes Cadiz--His Quarrels with the Cecils--His Second Expedition and Rupture with the Queen--Troubles in Ireland--Essex appointed Lord-Deputy--His Failure--The Essex Rising--Execution of Essex--Mountjoy in Ireland--The Debate on Monopolies--Victory of Mountjoy--Weakness of Elizabeth--Her last Illness and Death 313