Geography and Warfare in the Armada Campaign Flashcards

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Why did the Spanish Armada have to sail up the English Channel in 1588?

It had to sail up the Channel to reach the Netherlands coast so it could join with Parma’s army at Dunkirk for an invasion of England.

Why was Dunkirk important to the Armada plan?

Dunkirk was where Parma’s army and invasion barges were based, so the Armada needed safe control of the sea there to ferry soldiers across to England.

How did sandbanks and shallow waters near Flanders affect the Armada?

Sandbanks and shallow seas near Flanders made it risky for large Spanish ships to go close to the coast, so they could not easily protect Parma’s barges.

Why were English ports in the south-west, like Plymouth, useful in the Armada campaign?

They let English ships sail out behind the Armada and follow it up the Channel, using local waters they knew well.

How did the narrow shape of the English Channel affect the way the two sides fought?

The narrow Channel forced ships into long lines, so there was more gunfire at range and less chance for close boarding attacks.

Why were the faster, more manoeuvrable English ships suited to fighting in the Channel?

They could turn and move quickly in the changing winds and tides, making it easier to stay at a safe distance and keep firing their guns.

What was the Spanish Armada’s crescent formation and why was it used?

It was a curved shape with strong warships on the outside and weaker supply ships inside, used to protect the fleet as it moved through the Channel.

How did long-range English guns link to the geography of the sea battle?

In the open water of the Channel, English ships could stay out of boarding range and use long-range guns to damage Spanish ships from a distance.

Why were Calais and Gravelines key places in the Armada campaign?

They lay close to Parma’s forces in the Netherlands, so the Armada anchored off Calais and fought at Gravelines while trying to make the vital link with his army.

How did winds and storms after Gravelines affect the Armada’s route home?

Strong north-westerly winds drove the Armada into the North Sea, forcing it to sail around Scotland and Ireland, where Atlantic storms and rocky coasts wrecked many ships.

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