Spanish Armada - Setbacks and Surprises

Did weather cause the Spanish Armada to lose the battle with Britain, in 1588?  Twenty-first-century scientists, investigating the campaign, have reconstructed daily weather maps.  These experts have confirmed that once the Armada arrived at the English Channel, the weather turned unfavorable for the Spaniards.

When Sir Francis Drake learned the Spanish fleet was in the English Channel, he famously finished a game of lawn bowling.  Was he recklessly nonchalant, or did the tide have something to do with Drake's decision?

Another fact worked against the Spaniards.  To the surprise of the hopeful invaders, English war ships were able to sail much closer to the wind.  That ability allowed the British to nimbly move about.  Experts, using computer graphics, have reconstructed ships from both sides.  Their findings help us to better understand the differences in performance.

Yet another surprise bothered the Spanish fleet.  British ships were unexpectedly able to attack from a distance - a strategy not normally employed in sixteenth-century naval battles. 

Credits

Clip from Battlefield Detectives:  What Sank the Armada? 

Director: 
Bill Lyons

Production Company: 
Granada Television

Executive Producer: 
Liz McLeod

Producer: 
Bill Lyons

Released:  2003

Video online, courtesy DrBogdanovic's Channel at YouTube.