Could the Spanish Armada have succeeded?
The relentless decline in relations between Spain and England post 1558 engender a feeling of certain inevitability within the hostilities that broke out in 1585. Although tension between the two countries was extremely high it took years of preparations to actually instigate war.
When Mary Queen of England died Philip lost all attachments with England and when Elizabeth came to power England no longer remained Catholic, Philip felt that England had now become an enemy rather than an ally. Prior to the Armada Elizabeth kept communication open with Philip and affirmed that they were both clear-cut associates, this was entirely fallacious as Elizabeth; a master at procrastination simultaneously was directing English Pirates to seize Spanish ships and goods in the West Indies. This was a continual irritation for Philip and generated hostility between the two sides but Elizabeth's obvious support for Protestants in the Netherlands in their......
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