BattlefieldsSpanish Raid — Penzance Action July 1595
Tudor

Spanish Raid — Penzance Action July 1595

1595
England
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
England
Forces
Cornish militia of uncertain size arriving too late
VS
Victor
Spain
Forces
Spanish landing force of approx 200
Outcome
Penzance partially burned; Spanish withdrew without loss; Elizabeth ordered coastal defences strengthened.
The Battle

History & Significance

After burning Mousehole and Newlyn, the Spanish galleys turned on Penzance. Parts of the town were fired and Spanish troops briefly held the market place before withdrawing. Local militia mustered too late to prevent the burning; a skirmish at the edge of town caused minor casualties.

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