Scotland and the Spanish Armada
- Alistair McConnachie
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Elizabeth I rallies the troops at Tilbury before the Battle, as interpreted by Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007). In this article, Alistair McConnachie records how James VI closed the ports to the Spanish Fleet, forcing its destruction around the Scottish coast.
On 8 August 1588 (New Style) the decisive battle against the Spanish Armada was fought – also known as the Battle of Gravelines.
Sir Francis Drake had been pursuing the Spanish fleet of King Philip II, commanded by Medina Sidonia, through the English Channel for several days. Philip's aim was to invade England, overthrow Queen Elizabeth and establish Catholicism.
Often considered only for its effect on England, the fact remains that Scotland was involved too.
After all, if the Spanish had successfully conquered England, the consequences wouldn't have stopped at the border!
THE BATTLE
Drake encountered the fleet off Calais.
It was waiting on the Duke of Parma's army which were expected to be waiting, ready to join the fleet via barges, prior to an invasion.
However, communication had been difficult and the army was not there, leaving the Spanish fleet vulnerable to attack.
At midnight of the 7th and into the early hours of the 8th, Drake sent "fireships" into the anchored fleet. These were empty ships filled with brimstone, gunpowder and tar.
Medina Sidonia's flagship and the principal warships held their positions, but the rest of the fleet cut their anchors and scattered in panic and confusion.
Knowing that the Spanish wanted him to close and fight hand to hand, he kept his ships a safe distance, and utilised his superior cannon fire against the weaker Spanish cannons.
By 4pm that day, the Spanish plan to join with Parma's army had been defeated.
The next day, the wind got up, ("God breathed and they were scattered") which enabled Sidonia to move his fleet northward.
JAMES VI CLOSES SCOTTISH PORTS TO THE SPANISH
The fleet was pursued right up to the Firth of Forth, whereupon the pursuit was abandoned.
It is a little known fact that without the intervention of the Scots King James VI, the Spanish may have survived to fight another day!
When news reached James VI that the Spanish were sailing north around Scotland, he addressed the Estates (the Parliament of the day), and closed the Scottish ports:
I have no great occasion for myself to fear, being under league and friendship with all christian princes and estates; yet the case of England ere it be long may turn to be our own, and we forced to share with them in their troubles. The intention of Spain I know, is against England; and considering the right I have to that crown after the queen's death that now reigns, I see not how it shall be safe for me to let another possess himself of that kingdom; nor will any man make me to think, that the king of Spain, if he shall chance to prevail, will part with it, and give place to my right, having once made conquest thereof.
As now whilst the event is doubtful, they speak fair and make liberal promises; but if matters succeed to their minds, we shall hear other words. They take religion for a pretext of their invasion, but it is the kingdom they seek; and granting that religion were the true cause, are not we ourselves in the same case with England?
The prosecution of the holy league will strike no less upon us than them. But for myself, I have ever thought mine own safety and the safety of religion to be so conjoined, as they cannot well be separated; neither desire I to live or reign any longer than I may serve to maintain the same.
I am not ignorant what the opinion of many is, and that they think I have now a fair occasion to revenge the wrong and unkindness I received by the death of my mother [Mary Queen of Scots].
But whatsoever I think of the excuses which the queen hath made to me, I will not be so foolish as to take the help of one that is mightier than myself; nor will I give such liberty to mine own passions, as therefore to neglect religion, and cast in hazard both this kingdom and those others that belong to me after her death. (1)
Spottiswoode records that:
This speech was seconded by the chancellor, who did out of his reading adduce diverse histories to make good what the king had said;
"That it was no way expedient to side with Spain in that invasion, or suffer him to possess himself of England; yet since the queen had not required any aid from him, his opinion was, that he should strive to assure his own kingdom, and not to permit them to take land in his bounds.
"That a general muster should be taken in the whole realm, and some noblemen named unto whom, upon occasion, the subjects might resort, watches appointed at all the seaports, and beacons erected in the highest places, for advertising the country if any fleet was seen as sea; and that the king and council should stay at Edinburgh to attend the success of things, and direct the subjects accordingly." (2)
SPANISH FLEET, FOUNDERS
This forced Medina Sidonia to chart a course back to Spain by going round the top of the British Isles.
This was to prove more hazardous to his fleet than the Battle itself, and he lost ships and men off the rocks of the west coasts of Scotland and Ireland.
Spottiswoode writes:
Shortly, the destruction was so great, as of the hundred and thirty-four ships that set sail from Lisbon, fifty-three only returned to Spain; of the soldiers, besides the mariners, thirteen thousand five hundred were lost by one way or other. (3)
James VI announced a day of celebration and thanksgiving for the dispersal of the Spanish Fleet in Scotland.
The king caused solemn thanks for this deliverance to be given to God in all the churches of the kingdom, beginning in his own court for an example to others. (4)
It became a practice to celebrate Armada Day by the lighting of bonfires across Scotland, although this practice would soon be superseded by a Bonfire night to celebrate James VI's survival of the Guy Fawkes assassination attempt.
In 2015, Dan Snow presented an excellent 3-part infotainment series entitled Armada, starring Anita Dobson as Elizabeth I now available on DVD.
REFERENCE
(1) Right Rev John Spottiswoode, History of the Church of Scotland, Vol II, (Edinburgh, 1841) at 384-385. Available at Google Books here.
(2) Ibid at 385.
(3) Ibid at 388.
(4) Ibid at 389.
Alistair McConnachie is the Founding Director of A Force For Good, Scotland's premier pro-UK campaign organisation and think tank, established in March 2012.
SUPPORT A FORCE FOR GOOD
If you think our comprehensive and educational research and publications, and our colourful physical activism is worth supporting, then please help us to keep up this good work!
