Defeat of the Spanish Armada
Elizabeth I played an important role in the Defeat of the Spanish Armada. After years of planning, Philip II of Spain prepared a massive fleet of his best and greatest warships, dubbed the Armada by the Spanish. The Armada sailed into the English Channel in 1588, intending to invade and conquer England. The English were expecting them. During her reign, Elizabeth allocated enough funding to maintain a fleet of nimble, well-armed battle ships. When the Armada arrived in English seas, the queen's ships beat the Spanish fleet in one of history's most famous naval battles, which was subsequently nearly destroyed by horrible storms on its way back to Spain.
When the Spanish invasion was near, Elizabeth decided to personally inspect a force of soldiers stationed at Tilbury. She rode past the camp wearing a white robe and a silver armor, then delivered a famous speech. Some of her subordinates were concerned about her being in front of such a big group of soldiers, but she was unfazed: she was their leader, and she was determined to be with them in their most vital hour before combat. "I know I have the body of a sickly and weak lady," Elizabeth stated, "but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of an English monarch as well." She then pledged to lavishly reward her devoted soldiers. The event showed several of Elizabeth's attributes, including her bravery, mastery of great public situations, and strategic connection with masculine martial ideals.
