shoot low.[1] Philip, moreover, impressed upon his admiral that he must engage the enemy only if it should become apparent that Parma's passage across could not be ensured without an action. For Medina Sidonia was to spare his Spaniards as much as possible, with a view to assisting Parma with six thousand men, in case there should be no battle, or with fewer, in case losses should be incurred.[2] This exhortation to avoid an unnecessary action must have been rather embarrassing to the commander-in-chief, since Philip had elsewhere directed him to fight if Drake pursued, or were fallen in with near the mouth of the Channel.
If Parma landed in England,[3] Medina Sidonia was to station his fleet at the month of the Thames, and to guard that river. He would then be able to keep open and safe the communications with Flanders, and to co-operate in the most efficacious manner.
According to the instructions, Medina Sidonia was only to act independently of Parma, in the event of an action having to be fought at sea, which action was nevertheless described as being "after all the chief thing."[4] Above all, he was to remain on the English coast until the business should be brought to a satisfactory termination.
These instructions are vague and ambiguous.[5] They leave one in doubt as to what Philip really had in mind.[6] The orders admit of the following interpretation.
Margate Road was to be the immediate destination of the Armada. There, for the first time, touch was to be gained with Parma, as soon as possible after the arrival of Medina Sidonia.[7] Philip says nothing definite as to Medina Sidonia convoying Parma, but directs him to ensure the latter's passage across. This order is so indeterminate that one may conjecture that after his arrival off Margate, the admiral might act according to circumstances. The king, perhaps, expected that Medina Sidonia would manage to drive the enemy from the Channel as the result of a battle fought off Margate before the fleet anchored in the Road. In that case, Parma might cross without assistance. But, if the enemy still remained
- ↑ Duro, doc. 94, p. 10.
- ↑ Ib., doc. 94, pp. 10, 11. See also Froude, 334.
- ↑ Ib., doc. 94, p. 11.
- ↑ Ib., doc. 94, pp. 10, 11.
- ↑ Yet Duro, doc. i. p. 48, comments: "No cabe nada más meditado, claro y preciso que esta instruccion."
- ↑ It is true that Philip had delivered to the two dukes certain plans which have not been preserved. These may possibly have been more precise. Duro, doc. 94, p. 7.
- ↑ Duro, doc. 95.
