Planning The strength of the Spanish fleet came from its crescent formation plan – but when the English broke this up with their fireships, the Spanish became vulnerable and exposed to attack.

Planning The strength of the Spanish fleet came from its crescent formation plan – but when the English broke this up with their fire ships, the Spanish became vulnerable and exposed to attack.

The English sent fireships – old ships loaded with pretty much anything that would burn – among the Spanish. The Armada broke formation, and was now vulnerable. And on 29 July, the English ...

Readers who want a fast-paced account of how Elizabeth’s navy, led by such captains as Drake, Howard, and Frobisher, managed to defeat the Spanish Armada in battles fought in the English Channel, ...