Profile of the Day: Sir Francis Drake

Sir Francis Drake

On this day in 1588, English forces led by Lord Charles Howard and Sir Frances Drake defeated the Spanish Armada. Once referred to as the “Invincible Armada,” the defeat of the once-unbeatable Spanish force made England a dominating power in the world.

During the late 1580s, tensions between Spain and England had greatly escalated. Queen Elizabeth I dispatched Drake to raid major Spanish ports to great success, which prompted Philip II of Spain to invade England. As they made their way for the English Channel, the Armada of 130 ships and tens of thousands of soldiers was plagued by poor weather. The delay gave the English time to prepare for the arrival of the Spanish forces.

On the night of July 29, Drake organized eight fire-ships to be sent into the crowded harbor where the Spanish fleet had anchored. In the chaos that ensued, the Spanish ships were forced to break formation, leaving them vulnerable to English attacks. In a decisive victory, English forces devastated the Armada. Today, the defeat of the Spanish Armada is remembered as one of the greatest military victories in English history.
 

View Sir Francis Drake’s Geni Profile

Image: Wikimedia Commons