Battlefields›Drake Cadiz Expedition 1587 Departure
Tudor

Drake Cadiz Expedition 1587 Departure

1587
Devon, England
Also known as: Singeing the King of Spain Beard 1587 · Drake Cadiz 1587
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Naval Engagement
Location
Devon, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Spain
Forces
Spanish c.60+ vessels.
VS
Victor
England (Drake)
Forces
English fleet c.25–30 ships
Outcome
Drake leads fleet from Plymouth to destroy Armada supply ships at Cadiz delaying the Spanish invasion by a year
The Battle

History & Significance

The Cadiz raid of 1587 was the single most effective English pre-emptive strike of the Tudor naval wars and delayed the Armada long enough for England to improve its defences.

Casualties & Losses

Minimal English; significant Spanish shipping destroyed

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Drake Cadiz Expedition 1587 Departure

The Royal Citadel mid 17th century bastioned artillery defence, incorporating late 16th century artillery fort and 18th century statue, on the Hoe
Scheduled monument · ~0.3 miles
Plymouth Castle (remains of)
Scheduled monument · ~0.4 miles
Resolution Fort: Civil War town defences at Friary Court
Scheduled monument · ~0.5 miles
Mount Batten: prehistoric and Romano-British settlement
Scheduled monument · ~0.9 miles
Mount Batten: 17th century artillery tower, Civil War breastwork, and World War II remains
Scheduled monument · ~0.9 miles
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Skirmish at Welshpool during Henry Tudor March 1485
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