This eBook was produced by David Widger
[NOTE: There is a short list of bookmarks, or pointers, at the end of thefile for those who may wish to sample the author's ideas before making anentire meal of them. D.W.]
HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS
From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce—1609
By John Lothrop Motley
MOTLEY'S HISTORY OF THE NETHERLANDS, Project Gutenberg Edition, Vol. 58
History of the United Netherlands, 1588
Both Fleets off Calais—A Night of Anxiety—Project of Howard and
Winter—Impatience of the Spaniards—Fire-Ships sent against the
Armada—A great Galeasse disabled—Attacked and captured by English
Boats—General Engagement of both Fleets—Loss of several Spanish
Ships—Armada flies, followed by the English—English insufficiently
provided—Are obliged to relinquish the Chase—A great Storm
disperses the Armada—Great Energy of Parma Made fruitless by
Philip's Dulness—England readier at Sea than on Shore—The
Lieutenant—General's Complaints—His Quarrels with Norris and
Williams—Harsh Statements as to the English Troops—Want of
Organization in England—Royal Parsimony and Delay—Quarrels of
English Admirals—England's narrow Escape from great Peril—Various
Rumours as to the Armada's Fate—Philip for a long Time in Doubt—He
believes himself victorious—Is tranquil when undeceived.
And in Calais roads the great fleet—sailing slowly all next day incompany with the English, without a shot being fired on either side—atlast dropped anchor on Saturday afternoon, August 6th.
Here then the Invincible Armada had arrived at its appointed resting-place. Here the great junction—of Medina Sidonia with the Duke of Parmawas to be effected; and now at last the curtain was to rise upon the lastact of the great drama so slowly and elaborately prepared.
That Saturday afternoon, Lord Henry Seymour and his squadron of sixteenlay between Dungeness and Folkestone; waiting the approach of the twofleets. He spoke several-coasting vessels coming from the west; but theycould give him no information—strange to say—either of the Spaniardsor, of his own countrymen,—Seymour; having hardly three days' provisionin his fleet, thought that there might be time to take in supplies; andso bore into the Downs. Hardly had he been there half an hour; when apinnace arrived from the Lord-Admiral; with orders for Lord Henry'ssquadron to hold itself in readiness. There was no longer time forvictualling, and very soon afterwards the order was given to make sailand bear for the French coast. The wind was however so light; that thewhole day was spent before Seymour with his ships could cross thechannel. At last, towards seven in the evening; he saw the great SpanishArmada, drawn up in a half-moon, and riding at anchor—the ships verynear each other—a little to the eastward of Calais, and very near theshore. The English, under Howard Drake, Frobisher, and Hawkins, wereslowly following, and—so soon as Lord Henry, arriving from the oppositeshore; had made his junction with them—the whole combined fleet droppedanchor likewise very near Calais, and within one mile and a half of theSpaniards. That invincible force had at last almost reached itsdestination. It was now to receive the cooperation of the great Farnese,at the head of an army of veterans, disciplined on a hundred battle-fields, confident from count