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11 Aug.
Estado, 594. |
383. Jorge Manrique to the King.
Statement of the events that happened to his Majesty's Armada,
as observed by me, Don Jorge Manrique, up to Monday, 7th August,
when by order of the duke of Medina Sidonia I came to discuss
with the duke of Parma matters touching the Armada, leaving the
said Armada at anchor in the haven of Calais. To this is added a
relation of the subsequent occurrences as stated by Captain Marolin
de Juan, who was present at the combat of the 8th instant.
His Majesty's Armada entered the English Channel on Saturday,
30th July, and on that day it came to a stand at sea off Plymouth,
a number of vessels being sighted. On Sunday, the 31st, in the
morning, seven ships were seen to the windward, and at 10 o'clock
there were quite near to us 74 sail, 23 of which were great ships,
the rest being small. They began to open fire on our rearguard,
but upon the Duke's turning to close with them they retired
without doing us any damage, except that two cannon shots struck
the foremast of the vice-flagship "San Juan," which was in the
midst of the enemy's fleet during the combat. On the same day
the flagship of Don Pedro de Valdez fouled another ship of his
squadron, breaking her bowsprit first, and then ber foremast. The
Armada passed on, leaving her behind in sight of the enemy ; and
what subsequently became of her and her crew is not known. At
the be same time the flagship of Miguel de Oquendo caught fire, and
some of her men were burnt. As it was seen that she would
founder, the contents were taken out of her, and she was abandoned
the next day, 1st August, in sight of the enemy, who continued to
follow us, still to windward. In consequence of calms the enemy
did not attack our rearguard that day, nor until Tuesday, the 2nd,
when a great engagement took place between the two fleets. The
galleon "San Martin" being to windward of the Armada, and near
the enemy's ships, the latter attacked her with the whole of their
cannon, she returning the fire with so much gallantry that on one
side alone nhe fired off a hundred shots, and the enemy did not care
to come to close quarters with her, although she was alone, and her
consorts were unable to aid her for an hour and a half. At last the
enemy retired, without having inflicted any notable damage upon
us. On the following day, Wednesday, the 3rd, the enemy attacked
our rearguard, but retired almost at once, as a shot from one of
our galleasses carried away the mainsail boom of his flagship. On
Thursday, the 4th, off the Isle of Wight, he again attacked our rearguard
at dawn, and displayed some signs of a desire to come to
close quarters, but did not do so, always keeping off and confining
the fight to artillery fire. The Duke endeavoured to close with
him. but it was impossible in consequence of the swiftness of the
enemy's vessels. On this day the largest ship in the enemy's fleet
was on the point of being caught by the "San Martin," but she was
rescued by 11 skiffs which grappled and towed her out, for which
purpose they carry a great number of such craft. On Friday, the
5th, there was a calm all day, and the two fleets kept in sight of
one another. On Saturday, the 6th in the morning the wind
freshened somewhat on our stern, and we began to make some
progress, the enemy always continuing on our rearguard with 100
vessels, as he had been joined recently by about 30 fresh ships. (fn. 1)
The French coast was sighted on one side, and the English on the
other, the Armada being abreast of Calais in the afternoon. The
Duke consulted the generals and pilots as to what he should do,
pending the coming out of the duke of Parma from Dunkirk, which
was seven leagues off. Different opinions were expressed in consequence
of the strength of the current, and the unsheltered nature
of the port in bad weather ; and the Duke finally decided to drop
anchor in the haven of Calais, and not to sail into the North Sea,
which would have jeopardised the undertaking, in consequence of
the difficulty of getting back again. There were, however, some
opinions opposed to the course adopted. The enemy also dropped
anchor in the place mentioned, near to us, about two leagues from
Calais. On Sunday, the 7th, the wind freshened, the current also
running strongly, and each of our ships put out two anchors. At
11 o'clock that night the enemy let forth seven fire pinnaces, which
burst into flame in the midst of our fleet. They burnt with such
fierceness that it was believed they were "artificial machines," and
as the Armada was in close order, the Duke, fearing the damage
that might be caused by them, gave orders for the cables to be cut,
and the whole of our ships spread their sails, leaving nearly 300
anchors behind them. The Armada then sailed in a northerly
direction, followed by the enemy. It is certainly believed that the
battle of Monday, the 8th, must have been terrible, (fn. 2) and that some
ships were sunk on both sides but there is no knowledge as to what
ships they were, the loss of life involved, or the present position of
the Duke and the Armada. The enemy's fleet is in pursuit with
160 sail ; and 40 more of their ships are cruising within sight
of Dunkirk, (fn. 3) these vessels having left Flushing to reinforce the
enemy. On the night of the fire the rudder of the galleass
"Capitana" fouled a cable, and the vessel being unmanageable, ran
aground on the bar of Calais Harbour. This being noticed by the
enemy, they sent 24 of their ships to attack her with their artillery,
and although the galleass was stranded and lying on her side, Don
Hugo Moncada defended her valiantly until he fell, killed by
harquebuss shot. The soldiers and sailors seeing that their general,
Don Hugo, had fallen, began to throw themselves into the sea, and
the convicts did likewise ; whereupon the enemy boarded the
galleass, killing about 30 men. The duke of Parma has given
orders for the recovery of the men who escaped, the artillery, stores,
and all else that was saved. On the same day (Monday) the enemy
furiously attacked the Portuguese galleon "San Felipe," with the
Maestre de Campo, Francisco de Toledo, on board. When they had
killed over a hundred of his men the rest of them, with the
exception of about 15 or 20 who stood by him, escaped in spite of
him to a hulk. The galleon, thus abandoned, brought up on the
beach at Nieuport, five leagues from Dunkirk. Here she was
discovered by the enemy, who with the aid of a number of ships
from ; Flushing attacked and captured her, the Maestre de Campo,
and the few men who were with him, having escaped in a small
boat, six persons only being saved.—Dunkirk, 11th August 1588. |
384. Juan Manrique to Juan De Idiaquez.
Many others will write to you the full details of the overthrow of
the Armada, and I will therefore only say here that I pray to God
to spare our good King to redress it, and you to aid him. Although
you may think it bold on my part, I cannot refrain from saying
how the happiest expedition in the world has been defeated. The
day on which we came to embark (i.e., in Flanders) we found the
vessels still unfinished, not a pound of cannon on board, and nothing
to eat. This was not because the duke of Parma failed to use
every possible effort, for it would be difficult to find another person
in the world who works half as hard but because both the seamen
and those who had to carry out the details openly and undisguisedly
directed their energies not to serve his Majesty, for that is not their
aim, but to waste his substance and lengthen the duration of the
war ; besides which the common people threw obstacles in the way. (fn. 4)
You must forgive me, but when I see the intentions of my
sovereign thus badly fulfilled, I cannot help venturing to lay the
matter before you. The general opinion here, is that if his Majesty
orders the remainder of the Armada to stay here, the enterprise
would be much easier. God guide it all! We are all of us ready
to die, and serve his Majesty as he may command. The prince of
Ascoli and Don Francisco de Toledo have arrived here, and the
younger displays most distrust.
Don Jorge Manrique is here, and it is quite pitiable to see how he
goes on.
For the love of God urge his Majesty to persevere in this
enterprise, for upon it depends mainly the ending of the war in
Flanders ; people here are delighted to see its postponement.—
Dunkirk, 11th August 1588. |
11 Aug.
Paris Archives,
K. 1567. |
385. Advices of the Fleets sent from Rouen. (fn. 5)
On Saturday the Spanish Armada arrived safely in these (Calais)
roads in good condition, with the English at cannon shot distance to
windward. Both fleets came to anchor in good order, and so
remained until Sunday night, when, at the turn Ōf midnight, the
English sent on to the Spanish fleet eight well fitted ships, filled
with artificial fire and ordnance, which advanced in line at a distance
of a couple of pikes' lengths between them. Wind and tide were in
their favour, and bore them down on to the Spanish ships. But by
God's grace before they arrived, and whilst they were yet between
the two fleets, one of them flared up with such fierceness and great
noise as were frightful, and at this the ships of the Armada cut their
cables at once, leaving their anchors, spreading their sails, and ran
out to sea. The English ships followed them, always further out at
sea, and to windward of them, cannonading them, with the intention
of keeping them under fire ; but this they were unable to do, and
both fleets continued in this guise, without doing much execution
one to the other. The remaining seven fire ships caught light when
they arrived where the Armada was before it slipped cables, and the
whole eight went drifting between the fleet and the shore with the
most terrible flames that can be imagined. The whole of them
burnt very fiercely until Monday morning, when they began to die
down somewhat, although the fire on them continued till the hulls
were reduced to embers.
At seven o'clock on Monday morning, at about two leagues from here
(i.e., Calais), both fleets came into action, the firing on both sides
being the greatest ever seen or imagined. In the meanwhile they
were constantly sailing in a northerly direction, the English fleet
keeping the wind, as far as could be seen. The galleon "San Martin"
was leading, with the galleon "San Juan" and two galleasses, which
were doing much execution against the English. The cannonade
was heard with the same fury the whole of that day, until at last it
died away in the distance. Since then we have no news that we
can trust, except from a fisherman who came in yesterday, reporting
that he left them between Zeeland and England, about 22 leagues
from here ; both fleets being mixed with each other, and still
cannonading. He says he saw some ships broken into bits, others
without masts or sails, from which they were throwing overboard
artillery, trunks, and many other things, whilst men were striving
to save themselves by escaping in boats, with such lamentation as
may be imagined. I forgot to say that the flagship of the four
Neapolitan galleasses, whilst trying to avoid the fire ships, lost her
rudder, and consequently could not follow the Armada. She was
assailed by 15 or 20 English ships, and getting as much in shore as
possible, was nearly surrounded by small (English) vessels of 30 or
40 tons, which shot off about 100 cannon shots at her upper parts
The guns on the galleass could not reply, as she had a list to landward.
The Italian sailors and artillerymen, with some others, were
the first to escape and fly to shore ; and so many went that not
more than 50 men stood by the captain to defend the ship. At last
the captain was killed, and several others, and the rest sought safety
in flight, whilst the English to the number of 200 entered, robbing
what they could lay their hands upon and carry. They were
awaiting the return of the tide to float her and carry her off, when
seeing that she was at the mouth of the port, not a fathom from the
inside, the governor, before there was water enough to float her,
determined to fire his cannon upon the English, which he did both
from the fortress and the town walls ; whereupon they fled, and
left the galleass with some loss. They tried three times to burn her
with artificial fire and gunpowder, but failed, as if almost by a
miracle. The loss amounted to about 50 English and a similar
number of Spaniards and slaves, who made a terrible outcry. If
the Spaniards had stood by the ship, as they might have done, the
English would never have entered her, as not one of the English
cannon shots had pierced the hull of the ship, but only her upper
planks above the oars. She was therefore still very sound, but now
they are dismantling her for her timbers and taking out her
ordnance, which is the greatest pity in the world, for there was no
better ship in the Armada for fighting in these parts, and such
another could not be launched for 100,000 crowns. She alone is
enough to face 20 of the best English ships, and draws so little
water that she could easily enter Dunkirk.
There has been very bad management with the Flemish ships,
which cannot be ready for another fortnight, in consequence of the
neglect of the commissaries, whose one care has been to steal all
they could. If they had joined the Spanish fleet they could no
doubt have carried out the design.
The Spanish fleet is very powerful, only it has no port of refuge
in these parts, and with bad weather it may be driven on to the
banks, which is the English plan, without thinking of coming to
close quarters.
The English fleet consists of 150 sail all told, including any that
may have joined them from Holland and Zeeland.
The Dunkirk ships are short of sailors, in consequence of the
neglect they have shown towards them. They (the sailors) have
even been dreadfully ill-treated.
The whole of the fame gained by the duke of Parma in the
past is forfeited by this great neglect, and this will cause the
Spanish fleet to be lost if God does not come to its aid.
Whilst the Armada was in these roads, the Dover people held a
review, where instead of the 25,000 men they expected they could
only muster 22 companies of 100 men each, and in very poor order.
To-day, the 11th, the English deputies entered Calais on their
return to England, with passport from the prince of Parma.
They say that the fleets were still sailing slowly towards the
north, fighting as they went. On the night of Tuesday Drake
burnt two ships, and had captured and sunk six, amongst which
were some galleons, and they say also the "San Felipe" ran on a
shoal off Nieuport.—13th August.
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Postscript.—I have kept this until to-day, Saturday, 13th August.
It is reported that Drake came alongside the galleon "Capitana"
("San Martin"), which was somewhat separated from the rest of the
Armada, and surrounded by the English fleet ; and the engagement
was so fierce between, them that the whole of the two fleets
assembled, and in the fight the Spaniards captured Drake with
many ships, sinking others, and disabling 15 which took refuge at
Harwich. The Spanish fleet by the same report was still sailing
towards Scotland, some say to enter port, others to return round
that way to Spain. It was still being followed by the rest of the
English ships, (fn. 6) but it was feared that the Lord Admiral was in as
bad case as Drake.
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Note.—The latter part of this communication is written so hastily
and badly as to be hardly intelligible. After it had been finished
a small strip of paper was pasted on to the foot, containing a
postscript. The King had apparently tried to read it, but had
been unable to do so, as a note below it for his information says
"this postscript came inside the letter, the writing is so involved
that it is re-written more clearly here following."
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Second Postscript.—These deputies are stating some particulars of
the duke (of Parma). They are pleased at the small activity he has
shown in aiding the enterprise, either out of jealousy of Medina
or otherwise, designing to do some day what others have done
before, although I hope he will not forget himself so far. Our
Lord inspire him to do right. |
12 Aug.
Estado, 594. |
386. Prince of Ascoli (fn. 7) to the King.
On the 7th instant your Majesty's Armada was at anchor in
Calais Bay, the enemy's fleet being a league distant from it. At
midnight, when the tide was running from the enemy's fleet towards
us, they let loose seven fire ships, which came towards the Armada.
The duke of Medina considered it necessary that the Armada should
avoid these ships, and he accordingly directed some of us who were
most in his confidence to go in zabras (Biscay smacks) and carry
instructions to the other squadrons. By the Duke's orders I took
with me Captain Marco, as I had done on other occasions, and
sailed towards the rear squadron. In the interim the flagship sailed
away, and at day break I found myself in the midst of the enemy's
ships, and our Armada too far away for us to reach it. Whilst I was
in this position I saw a small pinnace in which were two majors who
had been sent to carry orders through the Armada for the ships to
put themselves in fighting trim. I therefore went on board the
pinnace with the intention of making for the galleon, and we
clapped on all sail with that object. Both wind and tide were
against us, and the enemy were engaged with our fleet, so that I
was cut off and in the rear of both fleets. I decided to follow in the
wake of the fleets, but I was so hotly pressed by the boats which
had attacked and defeated the galleass "Capitana" ("San Lorenzo")
that not a sailor could be induced to stir. Thus I remained all day
until two o'clock next morning, when so violent a gale broke that
I was obliged to run before it, I knew not whither, all that night
without a pilot. In the morning I sighted Calais, but was too far
to leeward to make it. I therefore had to enter this port, where
I found the duke of Parma, and gave him an account of my
proceedings, begging leave to return to the Armada. This he
refused to allow, I am very unhappy to be out of whatever events
may happen to the Armada, but as God has ordained otherwise, it
cannot be helped, and my only wish is to be in some place where I
may serve your Majesty and do my duty in a manner worthy of my
birth. This I will always keep before me, and on all occasions when
my person may be of any service it shall be exposed to the death on
your Majesty's behalf.—Dunkirk, 12th August 1588.
Note.—The above manuscript is much mutilated and the writing
almost undecipherable. |
12 Aug.
Paris Archives,
K. 1567. |
387. Bernardino De Mendoza to the King.
On the 8th instant I wrote enclosing an original letter from
Rouen. This courier is on his way from the duke of Parma with
news, thank God, that Medina Sidonia with the Armada is safe in
St. John's Roads, between Boulogne and Calais, where he arrived on
the 5th (sic). From what I hear from the Armada, the Breton
sailors who were in the English fleet were quite right in saying
that the English ships had received great damage from the artillery
on your Majesty's vessels, the English flagship having been sunk.
This is again confirmed by advices of the 10th from Havre de Grace
and Dieppe, which say that the name of the ship was the "Raleigh." (fn. 8)
As the night came on, and the duke of Medina continued his voyage,
there could not have been so much damage done in the English
ships as the Breton sailors say, but it is a good sign that since then
they have none of them dared to attack any of your Majesty's ships.
The Breton sailors also confess that they saw one of your Majesty's
vessels burnt, all the men on board of which were saved. This was
Admiral Oquendo's flagship.
Isoardo Capelo has had letters from the coast of Normandy, and
also one, dated the 10th, from Rouen, stating that the third missing
galley had entered Blavet, in Lower Brittany, without further loss
than the victuals they had thrown overboard to lighten the ship. I
sent off a courier at once and opened credits at Nantes for the
15,000 crowns your Majesty ordered, to provide them with what
they may require. I also wrote to the captain of the galley, asking
him whether he has orders as to what he is to do, and to let me
know. I will report his answer to your Majesty, and if it be
necessary I will send from here one of my servants with letters
from this King to the governors ordering them to assist the captain
of the galley.
The moment I heard that the Armada had arrived off the Isle of
Wight, and that shots had been exchanged with the English, I posted
to Chartres to influence this King in the direction your Majesty
instructed me to do in the despatch which reached me through the
duke of Parma. I used this diligence because I had heard that the
queen of England was asking the King to assist her with the forces
stipulated in the articles of their alliance. As soon as I arrived the
King sent to say that he would give me audience after he had dined,
which was much sooner than usual. I addressed him to the effect
your Majesty instructed me, adding what I thought necessary in the
present state of affairs. This was in substance that, even if he was
not bound by the obligations I mentioned, the fact that the queen
of England had laid violent hands on the queen of Scotland, whom
he (Henry III.) had seen in her wedding garments, and had
acknowledged as queen of France, was a sufficient reason for her
(the queen of England) not receiving encouragement from this
country at the present juncture ; but, on the contrary, should inspire
him with a desire to avenge himself upon her. In the recent settlement
(i.e., with the League and the Guises) he had solemnly
promised to withdraw from all alliance with heretics, and particularly
with the queen of England ; and this, of itself, I said, was almost a
sufficient reason to render it unnecessary for me to address him in
the terms I was ordered to by your Majesty, but in fulfilment of my
instructions merely I had been obliged to mention it to him, to
remind him of the duty resting upon the most Christian King
Henry II. (III.?), to whom since his youth our Lord had vouchsafed
so many victories in defence of our Catholic faith. He replied at
length, very kindly, to the effect that your Majesty showed clearly
by your acts the zeal you had always exhibited in the interests of
the Church. His zeal was the same, and he had done what he could
and would consequently never stand in the way of the destruction
of heretics. He had, he said, two sorts of subjects, like your Majesty
in certain of your dominions, one sort being obedient to him, and the
others not. It was quite certain that the former would not go to
help the queen of England, and he will prevent the others from
doing so. He asked me to give him in writing what I had said,
and he would again discuss it with M. de Villeroy, who was present,
and the King repeated it to him in my presence ; promising me that
the reply should be communicated by him.
With regard to his remark about two sorts of subjects, I said
that the Huguenots only possessed Rochelle, and that, without his
permission, it would be difficult for a single Frenchman to go to the
aid of the Englishwoman, and I pointed out to him how much better
it would be for him that England should be under a Catholic King,
rather than a heretic.
In conversation with Villeroy afterwards I repeated what I had
said, and offered it to him in writing, but he said it was not
necessary, as he understood the points perfectly well, and your
Majesty's request ; promising me a reply in the morning. At the
time appointed the King sent me word that, as Villeroy was in
council, he could not bring me the answer, but that Geronimo Gondi
would do so. It was to similar effect with the King's own reply,
and I answered that it was such as I had hoped for from his most
Christian Majesty. I said that I would at once forward it to your
Majesty ; and I took care to spread it abroad immediately, with
what I had said on your Majesty's behalf, in order to pledge the
King to fulfil his words. If he breaks his promise the members of
the League and the towns of the Union will have good reason to
resent his proceedings, and to complain to his Holiness and your
Majesty.—Paris, 12th August 1588. |
388. Bernardino De Mendoza to Juan De Idiaquez.
In order not to detain this courier a moment on his way from the
duke of Parma, I must delay answering yours until' my next
despatches go, assuring you that the utmost vigilance and care are
being exercised in his Majesty's service to discover what is going on
everywhere, for his information.—Paris, 12th August 1588.
Postscript (partly in cypher and partly autograph).—As the
Armada has passed the Straits, I hope to God I shall soon send
good news. Lord keep His hand to the work!
The sailors and pilots blame Don Hugo de Moncada for the loss
of the galleass, by refusing to take out the rudder when they told
him, and then doing so when it was of no use.
You will please convey the reports I send to his Majesty. They
are confirmed from Calais. |
13 Aug.
Paris Archives,
K. 1567.
Holograph. |
389. Bernardino De Mendoza to the King. (fn. 9)
Just as I was despatching a courier to your Majesty with the good
news I have this moment received from Calais a man arrived from
the duke of Parma, who will relate them to your Majesty in full
detail, and I therefore need not dwell upon them or detain the man
a moment longer from carrying them to your Majesty. I give
infinite thanks to our Lord for the news.—Versailles, 13th August
1588. |
13 Aug.
Paris Archives,
K. 1567. |
390. Bernardino De Mendoza to Juan De Idiaquez.
I will not detain you with a long letter from the rejoicing you
will experience at the news I was about to send you, which,
however, you will now learn from the duke of Parma's reports.
God be praised for the trifling punishments He deals out to us for
our correction, and for the infinite mercies and benefits which He,
the Father of Mercy, vouchsafes to us.—Paris, 13th August 1588.
Note.—In a similar letter to the above, of same date, from Mendoza
to Don Martin de Idiaquez, the writer adds the following holograph
postscript— "As I am not sending a special courier in order that the
duke of Parma may not have cause to complain, I beg you to hand
to his Majesty my letter at the same time as the Duke's reports,
unless, indeed, it can be given to him before he learns the good
news." |
13 Aug.
Estado, 839. |
391. Statement of what happened to his Majesty's Armada, from
its entrance into the English Channel up to the events of
which news came to Dunkirk and Calais on the 12th and
13th August.
The Armada entered the Channel on Saturday, 30th July, on
which day it proceeded as far as Plymouth, a number of enemy's
ships being seen.
On the next day, 31st July, 64 of the enemy's ships collected and
opened fire on the rearguard of our fleet. The Duke desired to come
to close quarters but they retired, after doing us no more damage
than hitting with two shot the foremast of the fleet vice-flagship
"San Juan," which during the combat was in the midst of the
enemy's fleet.
On the same day Don Pedro de Valdez's flagship having come
into collision with a ship of his squadron, the flagship broke her
bowsprit and foremast, and as the Armada was very far ahead he
could not follow it. The said flagship consequently was left behind
by the fleet and doubtless fell into the hands of the enemy, news
having come from London that he (Valdez) had been taken thither
a prisoner. On the same day the vice-flagship of Oquendo's squadron
caught fire, the people on board escaping, but it was impossible to
save the ship.
On the 1st August there was a calm, and the two fleets could not
approach each other.
On the 2nd August a furious fire was exchanged. The galleon
"San Martin," flagship of our Armada, being to the windward and near
the enemy, the latter concentrated the whole of his artillery fire on
to her ; but she went at them so gallantly that, although she was
alone and her consorts could not come to her assistance for over an
hour, the enemy did not dare to come to close quarters with her and
ultimately retired.
On the 3rd the enemy approached, but shortly afterwards retired
in consequence of the mainsail boom of his fleet flagship having been
brought down by a shot from one of our galleasses.
On the 4th, off the Isle of Wight, at daybreak, the enemy
attacked our rearguard, and showed some signs of a desire to
come to closer quarters, but he always avoided coming nearer
than artillery range, his plan being to fight only with his ordnance
and not to grapple. Although the Duke wished to bring him to
close quarters it was impossible in consequence of the swiftness
of the enemy's vessels. During this day the largest ship of the
enemy's fleet was very nearly caught by the "San Martin," but
she was rescued by skiffs, which took her in tow, for which purpose
they carry a great number of such craft.
We learn by advices from London that it is there asserted that
during these days two of the Queen's ships were sunk. French
advices say seven ; but as our Armada continued on its course it
did not ascertain the truth.
On the 5th August there was a calm all day, and the two fleets
kept in sight of one another.
On the 6th the wind freshened somewhat astern, and we began
to make some progress, the enemy, with 100 sail, being sighted
both from the French and English coasts. In the afternoon the
Armada was off Calais, where it anchored, the duke of Parma
having been informed by the Duke (of Medina Sidonia) of his
approach. The English fleet also anchored at some little distance,
both fleets being within sight of Calais.
On the 7th the two fleets were at anchor, the wind freshening.
On the night of the 7th, at eight o'clock, the enemy sent forth
towards our Armada eight fire ships, the wind and tide being in
their favour and the ships burning with great fierceness. In order
to avoid the damage they might cause the Armada if the latter
were in close order and at anchor, the Duke ordered the cables to be
cut, so that the ships might escape the fire. Sail was then set, the
enemy also setting his sails and trying to embarrass us and keep us
in the direction of the fires ; but this he was unable to do. In the
meanwhile a strong westerly gale sprang up, which forced our fleet
to run in a northerly direction, surrounded by the enemy ; the fire
ships having brought up on the very place where the Armada had
been anchored, where they flamed furiously but did us no damage,
as they would have done if it had stayed.
On the 8th the two fleets were seen fiercely engaged, two leagues
from Calais, sailing in a northerly direction. From shore it was
seen that our galleons "San Martin" and "San Juan," with two
galleasses, were doing much damage to the English, and during the
whole of the day cannonading was heard until the increasing
distance prevented it.
On the night of the fire ships the rudder of the flag galleass
fouled a cable and became unmanageable, when she drifted ashore
at the mouth of Calais bar. The enemy seeing this sent 25 vessels
to attack her, cannonading her on the side where her own guns
were useless, as she was aground and listed. The sailors and some
of the soldiers cast themselves into the sea, Don Hugo de Moncada
being left with a very few men. He nevertheless fought bravely
until he fell, killed by two harquebuss shot. When he failed them
the rest of the men and the convicts jumped into the sea, and the
English boarded the galleass to sack her. The English had about
50 men killed, and a similar number of Spaniards and slaves fell.
It is understood that if Don Hugo had not been deserted by his men
he could have held the galleass. The vessel herself remained intact,
with her artillery, &c., all of which the Christian King has ordered
to be restored to us.
On the same day, the 8th, the galleon "San Felipe," of the
Portuguese squadron, with the Maestre de Campo, Don Francisco
de Toledo, on board, being somewhat separated from the Armada,
was attacked by so many of the enemy's ships, that, after she
had defended herself bravely and lost a great number of men, she
was obliged to bring up on the beach at Nieuport, crippled and
unseaworthy. Don Francisco landed there.
On the 10th August a ship from the north brought news to
Calais that she had seen both fleets intermixed, between Zeeland
and England, about 20 leagues from the Straits. She reported that
some of the ships were knocked to pieces, and others without masts
or sails, from which many things were being thrown into the sea,
and the men were trying to save themselves in boats.
On the 13th news came to Calais, by way of Harwich, that Drake
having attacked the galleon "San Martin," which was somewhat
apart from the Armada, the two ships got to such close quarters that it
caused a general engagement, in which our fleet captured Drake
with many ships, and sank others. It was said that 15 English
ships had taken refuge, much damaged, in Harwich, whence the
news comes. The Admiral's ship had also suffered much and had
no sails, but he and other ships were still at sea.
The same advice reports that our fleet was sailing towards Scotland.
This is what is said, but only on the authority abovementioned
since the 8th, when the fleet left the Channel. The duke
of Parma, with most of the army, were embarked at Nieuport on the
9th August, and the rest were shipped on the 10th at Dunkirk,
when news came that the gale of the 8th had forced the Armada to
run in a northerly direction. |
15 Aug.
Paris Archives,
K. 1568. |
392. Antonio De Vega to Bernardino De Mendoza.
The bearer of this is the master of the household of the French
ambassador, whom I have sent with a report to the duke of Parma
of all that has occurred up to the present with regard to the
Armada, and to urge him (the Duke) to order the Armada what it
is to do. I was going myself but obtained the bearer, owing to my
close intimacy with the ambassador, and his desire to do all the evil
he could to the queen of England, with whom he is scandalised.
You may give all credit to the bearer, who will report fully everything
that has happened.—London, 15th August 1588. |
18 Aug.
Paris Archives,
K. 1448. |
393. The King to Bernardino De Mendoza.
Your letter of the 9th has just arrived with the report from
Rouen that my Armada had fought the enemy on the 2nd instant,
and that God had given me the victory. As you consider the news to
be true, I am hopeful that it will prove to be so ; particularly as the
author claims to have been an eye witness. I am looking anxiously
for the confirmation, and I thank you warmly for the care and
diligence you have exercised in sending me this and other information,
this report having been the first intelligence I have had of the
event. You may imagine how eagerly such information was wished
for ; and I hope you will continue to send with your accustomed
activity all the news you get, and please God it may be as good as
we desire.—San Lorenzo, 18th August 1588. |
18 Aug.
Estado, 165. |
394. The King to the Duke Of Medina Sidonia.
After the enclosed letter was written advices arrived here from
Rouen, through Don Bernardino de Mendoza, saying that the
Armada had fought Drake on the 2nd instant, and that God had
granted us the victory ; the Armada having gained the wind and
sunk 15 of the enemy's ships, including the flagship. It is affirmed
that the rest of the enemy's fleet had retreated towards Dover.
This news is asserted in France to be true, and witnesses of the
engagement are said to be in Havre de Grace and Dieppe. I hope
to God that it may be so, and that you have known how to follow,
up the victory, and make the most of it, pursuing the enemy
actively without giving him an opportunity of reforming ; and
pushing on until you join hands with my nephew, the Duke. This
being done, it may be hoped that, with God's help, the enemy's fear
of us, and our men's courage, other victories will have followed. I
confidently look for God's favour in a cause so entirely His own,
and expect that your valour and activity will have accomplished all
I could desire. I anxiously await news.—San Lorenzo, 18th August
1588. |
19 Aug.
Estado, 950. |
395. Count De Olivares to the King.
When I received your Majesty's advice of 27th July, that the
Armada had sailed, I was so hopeless of obtaining any money of the
Pope until the terms of the arrangement were fulfilled, my constant
and strenuous efforts to that end having been quite unavailing, that
I sent the news to the Pope by my secretary, and avoided saying
anything about the money. When that subject is broached to him
the only effect is that, the moment my back is turned, he babbles
the most ridiculous nonsense at table, and to everyone that comes
near him, such as would not be said by a baby of two years old.
He possesses no sort of charity, kindliness, or consideration, and his
behaviour is attributed by everyone to the repulsion and chagrin
that he feels as the hour approaches for him to drag this money
from his heart.
Although the only answer he gives to me is that the terms of the
agreement have not yet been fulfilled, his excuse to others for not
paying the money is that the Armada business is nothing but a
trick, and that your Majesty has not raised the fleet for the English
enterprise at all, but for brag, and to frighten the queen of England
into making peace, which your Majesty would accept in any case.
He shows reports he has received to this effect. I have a very
shrewd idea of the source of these reports ; but as I have no certain
proofs that I am right in my conjecture, I refrain from saying
anything further to your Majesty about it. However unlikely a
report may be, it matters not to his Holiness if it serves his purpose.
—Rome, 19th August 1588. |
20 Aug.
Paris Archives,
K. 1568. |
396. Bernardino De Mendoza to the King.
I have received from England the information enclosed herewith,
by which, and the intelligence sent by the French ambassador in
England, your Majesty will see that, in their description of the
engagement between the Armada and the English off the Isle of
Wight, the Breton sailors did not lie, for the English lost seven
ships, and amongst them three of the largest the Queen possessed. (fn. 10)
The people in London were in such fear, that, although the officers
of the law ordered them to open their shops, they refused to do so.
The Queen had retired to St. James, (fn. 11) which is behind her London
house, Whitehall ; and it is said she had ordered a guard of 4,000
men and 1,000 horse to keep near her for her personal safety. As
the London people were so alarmed, Don Pedro de Valdez and the
rest of those who were captured, owing to their ship being disabled,
had been taken in carts to London, so that the people might see
that some prisoners had been captured ; the rumour being spread
that the whole Armada had been dispersed.
There is not a word about Don Antonio in any of the advices.
He has sent Pedro de Oro, the French consul to (the Prince of)
Bearn to ask him to furnish him with 2,000 men, the queen of
England providing the ships, for the purpose of his going to
Portugal as soon as your Majesty's fleet was clear away from Spain.
The new confidant has advices dated the 11th, but he says they
only contain the information the English heretics want published
here. They relate events very much to their own advantage.
Letters from Rouen, dated 19th (?), say that there is a man there
who left London on the 12th, who asserts that the English lost
heavily in the engagement, and they were very sad, as it was said
that Drake had been wounded in the legs by a cannon ball. The
English ambassador here had some fancy news printed, stating that
the English had been victorious ; but the people (i.e., in Paris)
would not allow it to be sold, as they say it is all lies. One of the
ambassador's secretaries began to read in the palace a relation
which he said had been sent from England, but the people were so
enraged that he was obliged to fly for his life. (fn. 12) —Paris, 20th August
1588. |
20 Aug.
Paris Archives,
K. 1567. |
397. Bernardino De Mendoza to the King.
On the 12th instant I wrote to your Majesty forwarding
despatches from the duke of Parma, and also on the 13th by Henry
Trapetier, who was on his way from Bruges, whom I did not wish to
detain one moment, as I understood that he bore news of the duke
of Medina Sidonia's arrival with the fleet at the port agreed upon
with the duke of Parma, which news I had already received from
Calais, and was on the point of sending to your Majesty when
Trapetier arrived here. The news since then is that the weather
had freshened to such an extent, that it became necessary for the
duke of Medina Sidonia to run up north towards Scotland with all
the Armada. I have letters from England of 12th instant, advising
the receipt of reports there, dated the 10th, that your Majesty's fleet
had been seen off Newcastle, 20 miles from the Scotch frontier, with
the English fleet always following it up, the winds having hitherto
being from the S.W. and S. which are unfavourable for the return
of the Armada to Dunkirk. As the storm that forced them to leave
the Downs was so violent, it may be feared that if any of the
galleons go near the Flemish coast they may run on to the banks
and so lay at the mercy of the enemy's ships.
As soon as I heard that the two galleys of your Majesty had run
aground at Bayonne, I requested this King to send orders to the
governor of Bayonne to restore what might be saved from them, as
he (the King) had consented to allow the ships of the Armada
to take refuge in his ports. The King did as he requested
immediately. I could not report this by Trapetier as he left so
hurriedly.
When also I heard of the galleass "Capitana," which ran aground at
Calais, I wrote to the King begging him to order M. de Gourdan to
restore what remained, as he had done in the other case at Bayonne.
The King gave the necessary orders, but on the 16th a courier from
the duke of Parma at Dunkirk arrived here, with despatches dated
the 11th, which are now enclosed. The Duke wrote to me at the
same time saying how M. de Gourdan had behaved in the matter,
and that he was very anxious to keep the galleass and its ordnance,
and requesting me to use my best influence with the King to
prevent this. I left immediately by post for Chartres, and thanked
him warmly for having commanded M. de Gourdan to restore the
galleass and what remained of her contents, but regretting greatly
that she had been allowed to be lost in that way. If the King
desired to be neutral in this war, it was nevertheless a matter of
honour with him and his fortresses, that anyone seeking shelter
under his guns should, according to the law of nations, be allowed
to do so. I had, moreover, special reason to complain in this case, as
he, the King, had granted me the use of the ports, of which I
advised your Majesty and the duke of Parma, and I was greatly
surprised, therefore, that M. de Gourdan should have acted as he had
done. The King replied that he had ordered the galleass to be
restored, notwithstanding any claim the Admiralty might have upon
it, and he had every reason to be satisfied with M. de Gourdan's
conduct, which, he was informed, had in no way transgressed the
duty of a good governor of a fortress. I replied by pointing out
how differently we had acted under similar circumstances, when his
brother Charles was King, and France was at war with England
about the possession of Havre de Grace. Two English ships were
then at Gibraltar, and a French ship appearing, they captured her
almost at the mouth of the harbour. At the same time Don Juan
de Mendoza arrived with 20 Spanish galleys, and seizing the crews
of the English ships, he put them in irons, and liberated the
Frenchmen, restoring to them everything, to the last trifle, which
the English had captured. The queen of England had frequently
requested the restitution of these ships, and the release of the crews
but it had always been refused on the ground that they had violated,
the peace in neutral waters. The King referred me to Villeroy, who
wished to make out that the galleass was cast away when she came
ashore, and that Gourdan had defended her from capture by the
English, but had retained his own claim to her. I replied that if
Gourdan had the right to her as soon as she came ashore, he had the
same right whether she was cast away or not. He denied this, but
did not refute it. I also disputed with him (Villeroy) the claim of
the Admiralty, upon which point I was well posted, as during my
long stay in England such cases were of constant occurrence. I
know M. de Gourdan, and I do not believe that his failure to help
the galleass was from any want of goodwill on his part, but rather
from the secretaries here having neglected to write to the ports
saying that the use of them had been granted to your Majesty's
ships, which were to be welcomed. It was from no failure of mine
in demanding the letters, for as soon as the Queen-Mother answered
me on the matter, I begged her to have letters given to me. She
answered that the King would write to the governors of the
provinces and give due orders in the ports.
They write from Normandy that the flagship of Juan Martinez de
Recalde, with the Camp Master Nicholas Isla, (fn. 13) had entered the port
of Conquet in Brittany, and the duke of Parma advises the same.
I have sent a courier to Conquet that they may report to me what
state they are in, and I have sent a credit of money in case they
require anything.
The duke de Nevers has proposed to this King to undertake in
France a sort of crusade against the heretics, to be led by the King
in person, a general loan being raised to defray the cost, he, de Nevers,
offering to contribute 50,000 crowns. All this is only to bring about
disunion in the League, M. de Montpensier, de Nevers, de Longueville
and the rest of them being annoyed at the King having made the
duke of Guise his Lieutenant-General of the realm. The prince of
Bearn it is said, intends to send 3,000 harquebussiers to help the
queen of England, in six ships from Rochelle. Others think it will
be impossible for him to spare so many men and keep his own
fortresses garrisoned.
They write from Rouen that in the pays de Caux in Normandy
the Huguenots are secretly raising troops to send to England. They
cannot send many, in any case, but I will speak to the King about
it if it be confirmed, as that part of the country is obedient to him.—
Paris, 20th August 1588. |
398. Bernardino De Mendoza to the King.
[Extract.]
Whilst I am writing this I received the enclosed letter from
Calais viâ Rouen. The person who sends it is intelligent, and gives
me reports from that place in which he endeavours to tell the
truth. As Calais is the first place that news of what had happened
between the fleets would reach, considering their position and the
winds that prevail, I am in hopes that the news he gives as having
come from Harwich is true, particularly as details are sent. (fn. 14) God
grant that it may be followed by greater victories.—Paris, 20th
August 1588. |
399. Bernardino De Mendoza to Juan De Idiaquez. (fn. 15)
[Extract.]
It is advisable that the news from Flanders and Calais should
reach his Majesty's hands speedily. In confirmation of what they
write from there, reports are coming from all quarters of the
neglect which has occurred in Dunkirk respecting the victuals,
and the indifference displayed as to having the ships ready. With
regard to this point, I am sure that you will have plenty of reports
from Flanders. It is doubtless a lesson to us from God Almighty
that all good fortune comes from His hand alone, and not from
human effort.
According to the current account, it may be concluded that our
Armada has been forced to seek some shelter or anchorage in
Scotland to refit. God send it victory. With the payment of my
account, and the sums his Majesty has instructed me to disburse,
I have almost finished the credit of 18,000 crowns, and unless more
is sent I can hardly go to Blois ; pray remind his Majesty.
The King has ordered the arrest of ships in Normandy. This is
simply a matter of State precaution, as he sees his neighbours in
arms. The writer has greatly suffered from his visit to Chartres.
Bad horses, old age, and hot sun have combined to give him the
worst time he ever had in his life.
Note.—In a similar letter of same date from Mendoza to Martin
de Idiaquez the following passage occurs : "I learn from Lille,
13th instant, that the galleon of Don Francisco de Toledo fought for
a long time with the enemy off Nieuport, refusing to surrender
except to overwhelming force. But she was abandoned by our
Armada and at last the enemy took her." |