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Historians have argued whether the defeat of the Armada was a great English victory. In many ways, it was not, as only one Spanish ship was actually sunk by gunfire, with the weather playing a major part in its destruction.

Also, the wars against Spain did not actually end until 1604, after Elizabeth’s death, and the cost of them was huge – about £1.5 million at the time. Twice more an Armada sailed for England but on each occasion storms drove the ships back home.

A great victory

The English however, claimed a great victory since the planned invasion was thwarted. More importantly, people across Europe at this time would have viewed the event as a humiliation for Spain.

There can be no doubt that England’s reputation as a sea power was enhanced, as of course Elizabeth’s reputation as a strong ruler.