Armada Pursuit Continues beyond Flanders
Drake joins the pursuit as the damaged Armada moves away from Flanders into the North Sea.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1588 in England — Page 2
Explore 77 historical events and records for England in 1588.
Historical records for England in 1588
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 37 of 77 unique records.
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August
English Ammunition Pressure Eases after Gravelines
Howard reduces close pursuit after the Armada is driven clear of Flanders and English ammunition runs low.
Tilbury Mobilisation
Elizabeth visits the army assembled at Tilbury and addresses troops prepared to resist any Spanish landing while the Armada remains a threat at sea.
Spanish Armada, 1st
Howard calls a halt to the chase in the latitude of the Firth of Forth off Scotland but ut by that point, the Spanish are suffering from thirst and exhaustion, the only option left to Sidonia is to chart a course home to Spain, along the Atlantic
Spanish Armada, 1st
Although their shot lockers were almost empty, the English pursued in an attempt to prevent the enemy from returning to escort Parma.
Spanish Armada, 1st
By that point, the Spanish were suffering from thirst and exhaustion, and the only option left to Medina Sidonia was to chart a course home to Spain, by a very hazardous route
Spanish Armada, 1st
On 2 August Old Style (12 August New Style) Howard called a halt to the pursuit in the latitude of the Firth of Forth off Scotland.
Spanish Armada, 1st
On the day after the Battle of Gravelines, the wind had backed southerly, enabling Medina Sidonia to move his fleet northward away from the French coast.
Invasion of England
Earl of Leicester maintained a force of 4,000 soldiers at West Tilbury, Essex, to defend the Thames Estuary against any incursion up-river towards London.
Invasion of England
On 8 August (18 August New Style) Queen Elizabeth went to Tilbury to encourage her forces, and the next day gave to them what is probably her most famous speech.
Invasion of England
The threat of invasion from The Netherlands had not yet been discounted by the English, and Robert Dudley.
Invasion of England
Earl of Leicester maintained a force of 4,000 soldiers at West Tilbury, Essex, to defend the Thames Estuary against any incursion up-river towards London.
Invasion of England
On 8 August (18 August New Style) Queen Elizabeth went to Tilbury to encourage her forces, and the next day gave to them what is probably her most famous speech.
Invasion of England
The threat of invasion from The Netherlands had not yet been discounted by the English, and Robert Dudley.
Spanish Armada, 1st
Earl of Leicester maintained a force of 4,000 soldiers at West Tilbury, Essex, to defend the Thames Estuary against any incursion up-river towards London.
Spanish Armada, 1st
On 8 August (18 August New Style) Queen Elizabeth went to Tilbury to encourage her forces, and the next day gave to them what is probably her most famous speech.
Spanish Armada, 1st
The threat of invasion from The Netherlands had not yet been discounted by the English, and Robert Dudley.
Spanish Armada, 1st
Earl of Leicester maintained a force of 4,000 soldiers at West Tilbury, Essex, to defend the Thames Estuary against any incursion up-river towards London.
Spanish Armada, 1st
On 8 August (18 August New Style) Queen Elizabeth went to Tilbury to encourage her forces, and the next day gave to them what is probably her most famous speech.
Spanish Armada, 1st
The threat of invasion from The Netherlands had not yet been discounted by the English, and Robert Dudley.
Speech
"My loving people, we have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit ourselves to armed multitudes for fear of treachery; but, I do assure you, I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people.
Speech
I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king - and of a King of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare
Speech
I know already, for your forwardness, you have deserved rewards and crowns, and, we do assure you, on the word of a prince, they shall be duly paid you.
Speech
In the mean time, my lieutenant general shall be in my stead, than whom never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject; not doubting but by your obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp, and your valour in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over those enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people."
Speech
Let tyrants fear, I have always so behaved myself, that under God I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and goodwill of my subjects; and, therefore, I am come amongst you as you see at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being
Speech
resolved, in the midst and heat of battle, to live or die amongst you all – to lay down for my God, and for my kingdoms, and for my people, my honour and my blood even in the dust.
Speech
to invade the borders of my realm; to which, rather than any dishonour should grow by me, I myself will take up arms - I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field.
English Strategy Prevents Armada Junction with Parma
English naval pressure prevents the Armada from safely joining Parma's invasion army on the Flemish coast.
Invasion of England
Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester maintaines a force of 4,000 soldiers at West Tilbury, Essex, to defend the estuary of the River Thames against any incursion up-river towards London
Spanish Armada, 1st
Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester maintaines a force of 4,000 soldiers at West Tilbury, Essex, to defend the estuary of the River Thames against any incursion up-river towards London
November
Armada Thanksgiving Services Ordered
National thanksgiving services celebrate deliverance from the Spanish Armada and reinforce Protestant interpretations of Elizabethan national identity.
Other events (month unknown)
Alliance Elizabeth I and Henry IV in France
Sends contingents to support Henry IV in France
Commander in Chief
Named Commander in Chief of the English fleet against the Spanish Armada although he does not directly take charge of the fighting
Commander in Chief
Named Commander in Chief of the English fleet against the Spanish Armada although he does not directly take charge of the fighting
Discovery of Greenland
Launches an expedition to Greenland
Excommunication
Elizabeth is excommunicated by the Pope for a 2nd time on the eve of the Armada
Spanish Armada, 1st
Effingham orders an indirect strategy of harassing the Spanish fleet rather than attacking them directly
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.