Part 6

[130]As for such of the _Spaniards_ as had the ill Fortune to be drove upon the _Irish_ Shore, they met with the most barbarous Treatment; for some of them were butcher’d by the wild _Irish_, and the rest put to the Sword by the Lord Deputy Sir _William Fitz-Williams_, who fearing they might join with the _Irish_ Malecontents, and observing that _Bingham_, Governor of _Connaught_ treated them with more Gentleness than he had several times ordered him to do; upon their Surrender, he dispatched _Fowle_, Deputy Marshal, to execute his Orders; who first dislodg’d them from the Places where they lay conceal’d, and then executed about two hundred of them: But this Rigour the Queen condemn’d, and complain’d of as too extreme: However, the rest being terrified by this way of proceeding, tho’ they were sick and half famish’d, yet chose to trust themselves to their shatter’d Barks, and the Mercy of the Seas; and so became many of them a Sacrifice to the Waves. The Duke of _Medina_, with twenty or twenty five Ships, keeping in the Ocean, return’d to _Spain_.

[131]About forty of the _Spanish_ Ships fell in with the _Irish_ Coast, and intended to touch at Cape _Clear_, in hopes of meeting there with some Refreshment; but the Wind proving contrary, and the Weather tempestuous, many of them perish’d on that Coast; [132]of those that got off, some were driven by a strong West Wind into the _English_ Channel, where part of them were attack’d again and taken by the _English_, others by the _Rochellers_, and some arriv’d at _Newhaven_ (or _Havre de Grace_) in _Normandy_.

Such were the _Spaniards_ Losses of Men and Ships, in their return round _Ireland_.

The Losses they had suffered before, were thus:

Loss Men. of Ships.

_July_ 21. The _Spanish_ 1 40 Vice-Admiral Ship disabled at the first Engagement near _Eddystone_,

D. _Pedro de Valdez_’s 1 422 Gall. taken

_Oquendo_’s Ship, _St. 1 289 Anne_, burnt

_July_ 23. A great _Venetian_ Ship, 1 and other smaller ones,} taken

The chief Galleass, 1 686 taken

A great Galleon, 1 sunk

A Galleon of _Biscay_ 1 sunk

Two Saicks 2 sunk

The Galleon, _St. Matth._ 1 397 taken

The Galleon _St. Philip_ 1 532 taken

both by the _Flushingers._

A _Castilian_ Ship 1 wreck’d

30. Two _Venetian_ Ships 2 843 sunk

_Aug._ The _St. Matthew_ sunk 1 450

A _Biscayner_ 1 350 sunk

both on the Coast of _Scotland_.

Two lost upon the Coast 2 of _Norway_,

────────────────────────────────────────────────── Total Men of 8000 Ships at 18 least. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────

So that by adding their several Losses together, it plainly appears, they lost THIRTY FIVE Ships, and above THIRTEEN THOUSAND Men; besides many others of which no Estimate was or could be made[133]; and above two thousand Prisoners were taken in the Fight in _Ireland_, and the _Low-Countries_: Those taken in _Ireland_ were brought to _England_[134], and confined in _Bridewell_ ’till they were ransomed. The most eminent of the Prisoners were, Don _Pedro de Valdez_, Don _Vasquez de Silvea_, Don _Alonzo de Sayes_, and others taken in the Channel; in _Ireland_, Don _Alonzo de Luzon_, _Roderigo de Lasso_, _&c._ in _Zealand_, Don _Diego Piementelli_, _&c._ In a Word, there was hardly a noble Family in all _Spain_, that did not lose a Son, a Brother, or a Kinsman; upon which account the Mourning was so universal in that whole Kingdom, [135]that King _Philip_ was obliged by Proclamation to shorten the usual Time; as the _Romans_ of old, upon their great Defeat of _Cannæ_, found it necessary to limit the publick Mourning to thirty Days.

[136]The shatter’d Remains of the _Spanish_ Fleet after having weather’d many Storms, and suffered all the Inconveniences of War and Weather, arriv’d at last, about the End of _September_, at _St. Andero_, and other Ports of _Spain_, laden with nothing but Shame and Dishonour. The Duke of _Medina_ was forbid the Court, and ordered to go and live privately; _Martinez de Recalde_ died immediately after his Return; and two of their Ships were accidentally burnt in the Harbour not long after their Arrival. Surely such a Series of ill Success was hardly ever known in any other Age or Nation.

As for the _English_ they lost only Captain _Coxe_’s Ship abovementioned, and not more than one hundred Men.

* * * * *

Such was the End of the formidable _Spanish_ Armada, that had been three Years fitting out at a vast Expence; and which in less than three Months was shamefully beaten, and put to a most ignominious Flight, [137]without taking at the same time, in several Engagements, and in many Days Fight, any _English_ Ship or Boat, or making one Prisoner; not having so much as fired a Cottage at Land, or taken a Cock-Boat of ours at Sea, as the Lord _Bacon_ observes[138], it wandered through the Wilderness of the Northern Seas; and, according to the Curse in Scripture, _Came out against us one way, and fled before us seven ways_. Well might the _Spaniards_ marvel at this, and be heartily vexed, as one of their Friends observes they did; [139]so as some of them to say in their Anguish of Heart, “That in all these Fights, CHRIST shewed himself a _Lutheran_! Surely it is most manifest, as he goes on, That in all this Voiage, from the Armada’s coming out of _Lisbon_, even to the very last, GOD shewed no Favour to the _Spaniards_ any one Day, as he did continually to the _English_.”

For this signal Deliverance, the Thanks of all true Lovers of their Country, and of the Protestant Religion, are due to that Almighty Being, by whose Assistance their Ancestors obtained the Victory; and it ought at the same time, to make them love and reverence the Memory of that wise and excellent Queen, by whose Prudence and good Management they were enabled to conquer.

[140]Upon the first News of this wonderful Deliverance and Victory, the Kingdom was filled with Joy, and a Sense of Gratitude to GOD. The first Notice given of it in publick, was on the 20th of _August_, when _Nowel_ Dean of St. _Paul_’s preached at the Cross a Thanksgiving Sermon before the Lord-Mayor, Aldermen, and the Companies in their best Liveries. Again _September_ the 8th being another and chief Thanksgiving Day, the Preacher at St. _Paul_’s Cross moved the People to give Thanks for their Enemies Overthrow; and at the same time were set upon the lower Battlements of the Church, eleven Ensigns or Banners taken from the _Spanish_ Fleet; one Streamer in particular, on which was represented the Virgin _Mary_ with her Son in her Arms, was held in a Man’s Hand over the Pulpit: These Banners were afterwards carried to the Cross in _Cheapside_[141]; and the next Day, _September 9_, were hanged on _London-Bridge_ towards _Southwark_, where the Fair was kept. The 17th of _November_, being _Sunday_, was another Rejoicing-Day, as well upon account of the Queen’s Accession to the Throne, as for this Victory. Her Majesty intended to have been at _Paul_’s Cross, to hear a Sermon preach’d by Dr. _Cooper_ Bishop of _Winchester_, and Provision had accordingly been made for her Reception; but upon some Occasion or other, her coming was put off ’till the _Sunday_ following: The 19th being _Tuesday_ was a general Thanksgiving-Day throughout the whole Kingdom. The next _Sunday, November 24_, the Queen, attended by her Privy Council, by the Nobility, and other honourable Persons, as well Spiritual as Temporal, in great number, the _French_ Ambassador, the Judges, the Heralds, and Trumpeters all on Horseback, came in a Chariot supported by four Pillars, and drawn by two white Horses, to St. _Paul_’s Church; where alighting at the West Door, she fell on her Knees, and audibly praised GOD for her own and the Nation’s signal Deliverance; and, after a Sermon suitable to the Occasion, preached by Dr. _Pierce_, Bishop of _Sarum_, she exhorted the People in a most Royal and Christian manner, to a due Performance of the religious Duty of Thanksgiving; then going to the Bishop of _London_’s Palace, where she dined, she returned in the same Order as before, by Torch-light, to _Somerset-House_.

Those brave Men that had ventur’d their Lives in the Defence of their Country, were considered and rewarded by the Queen. [142]She settled a Pension on the Lord High-Admiral for his great Service, and bestow’d a handsome yearly Allowance on the poor and disabled Seamen; and upon all Occasions she distinguish’d the rest of the Officers, Soldiers, and Sailors with particular Marks of her Regard and Esteem; but their Rewards consisted generally more in Words than in Deeds.

A short EXPLANATION and ACCOUNT of what is contained in each of the ten Tapestry-Plates, and the ten Charts.

The first Plate of the Tapestry and Chart I. represent the _Spanish_ Fleet coming up the _Channel_, opposite to the _Lizard_, as it was first discovered. See _Account of the Spanish Invasion_, p. 12, 13.

Plate II. and Chart II. The _Spanish_ Fleet against _Fowey_, drawn up in the Form of a Half Moon, and the _English_ Fleet pursuing them. _Account_, _&c._ p. 13.

Plate III. and Chart III. At the left Hand Corner is represented the first Engagement between the _Spanish_ and _English_ Fleets: After which the _English_ give Chace to the _Spaniards_, who draw themselves up into a Roundel. _Account_, _&c._ _ibid._

Plate IV. and Chart IV. _De Valdez_’s Galleon springs her Foremast, and is taken by Sir _Francis Drake_. The Lord-Admiral with the _Bear_ and _Mary Rose_, pursue the Enemy, who are in the Form of a Half Moon. _Account_, _&c._ p. 13, 14.

Plate V. and Chart V. The Admiral of the _Guypuscoan_ Squadron being set on Fire, is taken by the _English_. The rest of the _Spanish_ Fleet continue their Course in the Form of a Half Moon: And when both Fleets were against the Isle of _Portland_, they come to an Engagement. _Account_, _&c._ p. 14.

Plate VI. and Chart VI. Some _English_ Ships attack the _Spanish_ Fleet to the Westward. The _Spaniards_ draw themselves into a Roundel: And afterwards keeping on their Course, are followed by the _English_. _Account_, _&c._ p. 14, 15.

Plate VII. and Chart VII. Represent the sharpest Engagement that happen’d between the two Fleets, on _July 25_, against the Isle of _Wight_. _Account_, _&c._ p. 15.

In Plate VIII. and Chart VIII. the _Spanish_ Fleet is seen sailing up the _Channel_, intending to stop at _Dunkirk_ or _Calais_, where they were to be join’d by the Duke of _Parma_: The _English_ follow them close. _Account_, _&c._ p. 16.

Plate IX. and Chart IX. The _Spaniards_ come to an Anchor before _Calais_, from whence they are dislodg’d by the Fireships sent amongst them in the Night: The _English_ prepare to pursue them. _Account_, _&c._ p. 16, 17.

Plate X. and Chart X. The _Spaniards_ make the best of their way for the Northern Seas; and are, in the mean time, very much battered by the _English_, who closely pursue them. The chief Galleass is stranded near _Calais_. _Account_, _&c._ p. 17, 18, 19.

The Reader is desired to observe, that the Border in Plate II, IV, VI, VIII, X, is an exact Representation of the Border to the Tapestry-Hangings, which is ornamented with the Portraits of the principal Commanders; and is the same in all the Pieces of the Tapestry; only the Heads are differently placed. But for more Variety, and in order to bring in the Heads of Sir _Robert Carey_, the Earl of _Northumberland_, Sir _Roger Townshend_, and Sir _Thomas Gerard_, another Border has been contrived, being that which is round Plate I, III, V, VII, IX.

We are inform’d by _Joachim de Sandrart_[143], that the _Designs_ of the Tapestry were made by _Henry Cornelius Vroom_, a famous Painter of _Harlem_, eminent for his great Skill in drawing all Sorts of Shipping; and that it was _Wove_ by _Francis Spiring_.

EXPLANATION of the MEDALS and other ORNAMENTS round the Charts.

Gen. Chart. On the left Side BRITANNIA is represented darting Thunder and Lightning, upon ENVY, SUPERSTITION, and the Kingdom of _Spain_, delineated by those of _Castile_ and _Leon_, which lye groveling below: On the other Side, TRUE RELIGION, represented by a Woman sitting, and holding a Bible in one Hand, thunders down upon HYPOCRISY, IGNORANCE, and POPERY: The Medal at the Top has, on one Side, the _Spanish_ Fleet in a Storm, and this Inscription, FLAVIT · יְהֹוָה‎‬ · ET · DISSIPATI · SVNT· 1588. _The Lord blew, and they were dispers’d._ On the Reverse is represented a Church founded upon a Rock, (meaning the Protestant Religion,) which the Waves beat against, and the Heavens seem to frown upon; the Inscription is ALLIDOR · NON · LÆDOR, _I am beat_ (by the Waves) _but not hurt_. That at the Bottom, which is of Silver, and in the Collection of Dr. _Mead_, has on one Side, the Pope, Cardinals, and Bishops; the Emperor, King _Philip_, and other Princes in their Robes of State, sitting in Consultation, bound about their Eyes with Fillets, the Ends of which are sticking up, and the Floor of the Room they are assembled in all full of Pricks: The Inscription above them, O COECAS · HOMINVM · MENTES · O · PECTORA · COECA. _O the blind Understandings of Men! O their blind Hearts!_ About the Circle, DVRVM · EST · CONTRA · STIMVLOS · CALCITRARE, _It is hard to kick against the Pricks_: On the Reverse, A Fleet of Ships dash’d against Rocks, and sinking: Above, VENI · VIDE· VIVE, 1588. _Come, see, live_, 1588: TV · DEVS · MAGNVS · ET · MAGNA · FACIS · TV · SOLVS · DEVS, _Thou, o God, art great, and dost great things, thou art God alone._

Chart I. and II. Above is a profile Face of Queen _Elizabeth_ (taken from a Minute of _Is. Oliver_, in the Collection of Dr. _Mead_,) before which sits HISTORY with an Olive-Branch, recording her great Actions; and behind her, FAME sounding her Praises. On each Side of the Queen are moreover several warlike Instruments taken out of the _Spanish_ Fleet, and now preserved in the Tower. From Queen _Elizabeth_’s Picture hangs the Anchor of Hope, the Arms of the Admiralty, surrounded by the Winds; and below stands NEPTUNE, the God of the Sea, in his Chariot, to denote the Queen’s Dominion of the Narrow Seas. At the Corner of the first Chart BRITANNIA sitting upon a Rock in the Sea, and looking scornfully upon the _Spanish_ Fleet, has this very pertinent Motto by her,

_Maturate fugam_, _&c._

_Hence to your Lord my Royal Mandate bear, The Realms of Ocean, and the Fields of Air, Are mine, not his._ VIRG. _Æn. l_. I.

Chart III. and IV. At the Top is a Picture of the Lord High-Admiral, (taken from an original Painting of _Frederico Zucchero_, in Possession of his Grace the Duke of _Kent_) having on one Side PRUDENCE, _Janus_ like, with a double Face; and on the other, COURAGE: Among which are intermix’d several _Spanish_ Weapons, now in the Tower. The Silver Coin, which was struck on this glorious Occasion by the _Zealanders_, has on one side two Ships engag’d, and under CLASSIS · HISP. Round the Circle, VENIT · IVIT · FVIT, 1588. _The Spanish Fleet came, went, was_, 1588. On the Reverse, the Arms of _Zealand_, with this Inscription, SOLI · DEO · GLORIA, _Glory to God alone_: Under the Lord-Admiral, VICTORY fitting, holds in her right Hand a Laurel Crown, and his Lordship’s Arms: In her left, a Chain, to which are fastened below the Duke of _Medina_, and the other chief _Spanish_ Commanders.

Chart V. and VI. At the Top is a Portrait of Sir _Francis Drake_, (taken out of Mr. _Knapton_’s Collection of illustrious Men,) and adorned on each Side with proper Naval Ornaments. The Coin at the Top has on one Side the Arms of _Zealand_ crown’d, with this Inscription, NON · NOBIS · DOMINE · NON · NOBIS, 1588. _Not to us, o Lord, not to us_: Reverse, The _Spanish_ Fleet flying, thus circumscribed, SED · NOMINI · TVO · DA · GLORIAM, _But to thy Name give the Praise_: That at the Bottom represents on one Side Queen _Elizabeth_, sitting in a triumphal Chariot, holding in her right Hand a Palm Branch, the Emblem of Victory; and in her left a Book open, in which is the Beginning of the LORD’S Prayer in _Dutch_, and round the Circle, TANDEM · BONA · CAVSA · TRIVMPHAT, 1588. _At last the good Cause triumphs_: Upon the Reverse, a Tree in which is a Nest full of small Birds, that jointly defend themselves against a Bird of Prey, by whom they are attack’d: At the Bottom BELLVM · NECESS. _A War of Necessity_: Round the Circle, SI · NON · VIRIBVS · AT · CAVSA · POTIORES, _Superior, if not in Strength, yet in the Goodness of our Cause_. At the Bottom of these two Charts is represented Sir _Francis Drake_, distributing amongst his Officers and Sailors, the Money, _&c._ that was found in a great Galleon brought to _Dartmouth_, See _Account_, _&c._ p. 13, 14. Others are driving the Prisoners before them.

Chart VII. and VIII. At the upper Part are the Portraits of Sir _M. Forbisher_, and Sir _J. Hawkins_ (taken from _Holland’s Herologia Anglicana_) with a naval Crown between them, and other suitable Decorations. Below them, upon a _Columna Rostrata_, (_i.e._ a Pillar adorned with the Beaks of Ships,) stands _Victory_, holding a Shield, upon which are the Names of those brave Persons that were knighted by the Lord-Admiral, as is represented at the Bottom. See _Account_, _&c._ p. 16. Others are bringing Weapons out of the _Spanish_ Ships.

Chart IX. and X. At the Top is a curious Portrait of Queen _Elizabeth_, (taken from a Gold _Alto Relievo_, in the Collection of Dr. _Mead_,) thundering down upon _Philip_ II. King of _Spain_, Pope _Sixtus_ V. (taken from a Copper Medal in the Collection of _Tho. Sadler_ Esq;) and _Alexander_ Duke of _Parma_, whom she holds in Chains. At the two bottom Corners are two Boys weeping, and pointing at the _Spanish_ Fleet, which is represented as shipwreck’d, and in the utmost Distress. The Coin at the left Hand Corner of the Top, was struck by the _Zealanders_, and exhibits the _Spanish_ Fleet in a violent Storm, the Sun above, breaking out of a thick Cloud; the Inscription is, POST · NVBILA · PHOEBVS, _After cloudy Weather Sun-shine_; or, _After a Storm a Calm_. On the Coin at the Right Hand, are four Persons upon their Knees, looking up to Heaven, with this Inscription, HOMO · PROPONIT · DEVS · DISPONIT, _Man proposeth, God disposeth_: The Reverse, which is not copied here, had this Inscription, HISPANI · FVGIVNT · ET · PEREVNT · NEMINE · SEQVENTE.

The above Medals, excepting those taken from the Collections mentioned, are from _Histoire Metallique des Pays Bas, par G. van Loon_.

_This Account was drawn up by the Rev. Mr. Philip Morant, M.A. Rector of St. Mary’s_, Colchester.

_ERRATA._

Page 3. Col. 1. Line ult. _for_ Sailor _read_ Sailors. of Notes,

_Ibid._ _for_ Books _read_ Book.

Page 8. Col. 1. Line 54. _for del Barrio 130_ _read 530._

_Ibid._ Col. 2. Line 38. _for_ Rama _read_ Lama.

APPENDIX.

APPENDIX.

---

NOTE.

The Spanish Armada made an effort, July 25, 1588, to land and take possession of the Isle of Wight, when a spirited engagement took place, which caused the Spanish admiral to pursue his course to Calais Roads.

The next day the Lord High Admiral of the English fleet called on board of his own ship, the “Arke-Royal,” and conferred the honor of knighthood on the Lord Thomas Howard, the Lord Sheffield Roger Townshend, Martin Frobisher, and John Hawkins, as a reward for their undaunted spirit and bravery in this great fight at sea, having power from the Queen so to do.

As brief biographical sketches of these important commanders may be interesting, the following have been taken from various historical, biographical, and genealogical works:—

THE LORD HOWARD OF EFFINGHAM.

Charles, second Lord Howard of Effingham, and Lord High Admiral of England, was son of the first lord and grandson of Thomas, second Duke of Norfolk.

He was born 1536, and after much service was appointed, in 1585, Lord High Admiral of England, and was chief in command against the Spanish Armada, in 1588.

As he was a staunch Roman Catholic, history will forever honor the tremendous efforts made by him to frustrate the landing of this powerful combination of land and sea forces, fitted out as it were under the auspices of the Pope of Rome, and his loyalty to his Queen and country.

In 1596, he commanded the fleet while the Earl of Essex commanded the land forces in the expedition against Cadiz. For this meritorious service he was created Earl of Nottingham. In 1599, in anticipation of another invasion by the King of Spain, he was given the sole command of the army and navy, with the title of Lieutenant-General of all England. He commanded the troop that subdued the Essex rebellion, and under James I. was employed in several distinguished capacities, and died December 14, 1624, aged eighty-eight, having some years before resigned the office of Lord High Admiral, in the behalf of the favorite Villiers, Earl of Buckingham, receiving in exchange a pension of £1,000, and the acquittal of a debt of £1,800 due the Crown.

THE LORD THOMAS HOWARD.

The Lord Thomas Howard was a son of the fourth Duke of Norfolk. His lordship was a distinguished commander in the memorable engagement between the English fleet and the Spanish Armada, in 1588.

In 1591 he had command of a squadron of ships sent out to attack the Spanish Plate fleet, homeward bound from America, and distinguished himself, with Sir Thomas Vasseur, in capturing a part of this fleet.

He was, in 1596, in the fleet commanded by Charles Howard, Lord High Admiral of England. This Thomas Howard led the third squadron, and it was this fleet which took the town of Cadiz. The same year, on his return, he was summoned to Parliament by the title of Lord Howard of Walden.

The next year, to divert the Spaniard from a descent on Ireland, the Queen sent out a fleet of one hundred and twenty, divided into three squadrons, commanded by the Earl of Essex, Lord Thomas Howard, and Sir Walter Raleigh. On his return to England, he was installed one of the Knights of the Garter, May 24, 1597.