But, at that early date, nothing was attempted. Santa Cruz did not, however, rest satisfied with making his original proposals. In January, 1586, he again wrote to the king. "For a long time," he began, "your majesty has cherished an idea of undertaking something against England."[1] He then stated the arguments in favour of an expedition. Queen Elizabeth had fitted out vessels to carry war and rapine into Philip's seas, islands, and Indies. The veteran seaman was frank and honourable enough to pay his tribute of admiration to the heretical sovereign. "Looking at the matter," he wrote, "merely from the statesman's standpoint, one must admit that she has adopted a courageous policy, and one which, while it has won her glory, has enriched and inspirited her subjects." Seeing that the Turks and the French were otherwise occupied, the admiral recommended his sovereign to assume the offensive.
This energetic communication did not fail to produce some effect. At the desire of the king, Santa Cruz sent him, in the following March, a very detailed list of the vessels, men, ammunition, and stores which would have to be provided if the necessary fleet and army were to undertake an eight months' campaign. He also estimated the cost. His proposed Armada was powerful indeed. It consisted of 556 vessels, including 150 large ships of war, with a total burthen of 77,250 tons; and the fleet was to carry no fewer than 94,222 men.[2]
Santa Cruz died in February, 1588, but, ere that, Philip had finally made up his mind to delay no longer.[3] A fleet was to join Parma for the purpose; and, as its leader, Don Alonso Perez de Guzman, Duke of Medina Sidonia, was selected.[4] The choice was an extremely bad one. Medina Sidonia hesitatingly accepted the command,[5] after having protested his absolute inexperience at sea and in war. He had only been enough at sea to discover that he was liable to sea-sickness.[6] But his scruples were overcome, and Philip wrote thanking him for having accepted the post.
On March 22nd,[7] the commander-in-chief received his instructions from the king. There was to be no further postponement. The
- ↑ Duro, doc. 2, p. 243.
- ↑ Ib., doc. 7.
- ↑ Ib., doc. 53, p. 414.
- ↑ Ranke, p. 314, suggests that one of the reasons may have been that the duke had distinguished himself at the defence of Cadiz.
- ↑ Duro, doc. 6O.
- ↑ Ib., doc. 53, p. 415.
- ↑ Duro, doc. 94. The date, according to the N.S. then used in Spain, should be April 1st; but as the O.S. was used in England, all dates in this chapter are given in the English form.
