The Duke of Medina Sidonia (1550-1615) sails from Lisbon, Portugal in command of the

Spanish Armada.                                                                                                                                            1588                                                                                                                                      

The Defeat of the Spanish Armada.                                                                                            July 21-29, 1588

War between Spain and England.

The Spanish Armada (132 ships, 33,000 men and crew) which was sent by Philip II of

Spain against England is destroyed, while in the English Channel, by English attacks and storms. 

The Spanish fleet is led by Duke Medina Sidonia.

Spaniards are defeated by English fleet led by Adm. Charles Howard of Effingham (1536-1624)

with Sir Francis Drake, Sir John Hawkins, and Martin Frobisher.

6,000-10,000 men are killed. 

Marks the beginning of Spain’s decline as a naval power.

War between Spain and England resulted primarily from England’s support for the

revolt of the Netherlands against Spain.

 

Disappearance of the second English colony on Roanoke Island.                                                           1588     Known as the “Lost Colony”.

 

Famine in Ireland.                                                                                                                                   1588-1589

Thousands perish.

 

Death of Frederick II of Denmark.                                                                                                                  1588

He is succeeded by Christian IV. Rules 1588-1648.                                                                                                                       

Christian IV will later support Lutheranism.

 

Henry of Guise marches on Paris in order to depose Henry III of France.                                                1588

Henry III flees to Blois (May).                                                                                                                                                                   

Henri of Guise is killed at orders of Henry III of France.                                                                     Dec. 1588

Henry III, King of France, turns to Henry of Navarre for support.                                                               1588