BattlefieldsSpanish Armada — engagement off Isle of Wight
Tudor

Spanish Armada — engagement off Isle of Wight

1588
Hampshire, England
Also known as: Armada off the Needles 1588
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Naval Engagement
Location
Hampshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Spanish Armada (Medina Sidonia)
Forces
Spanish Armada c.130 ships.
VS
Victor
English fleet (Lord Howard / Drake)
Forces
English fleet c.55 ships
Outcome
Spanish attempt to anchor off Isle of Wight and wait for Parma's army defeated; Armada pushed east
The Battle

History & Significance

The most important engagement of the Armada campaign in the South East. Medina Sidonia's plan was to anchor in the Solent off the Isle of Wight and wait for the Duke of Parma's army to embark from Flanders. English attacks on 4 August 1588 prevented this manoeuvre, with Drake attacking the southern flank and Lord Howard the north. The Armada was forced to continue east towards Calais, where the fireships awaited.

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