BattlefieldsDesmond Raids — English South West Coastal Watch 1580-1582
Tudor

Desmond Raids — English South West Coastal Watch 1580-1582

1580
Devon, England
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Devon, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Forces
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
Spanish and Italian troops operating in Ireland rather than England directly
VS
Victor
England
Forces
English coastal watch companies in Cornwall and Devon
Outcome
Coastal watch maintained; no Spanish landing on English shores during this period; Smerwick force massacred in Ireland by Grey de Wilton
The Battle

History & Significance

During the Desmond Rebellion in Munster, fears of Spanish assistance via the south-western approaches prompted the crown to reinforce coastal watch posts in Cornwall, Devon and Dorset. The landing of papal and Spanish troops at Smerwick in 1580 demonstrated the reality of the threat. English coastal parishes from the Lizard to Hartland Point were placed on alert, with beacons prepared and musters of able men recorded.

Questions & Answers

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