Battle of Gravelines
The Spanish Armada is defeated by an English naval force under command of Lord Charles Howard and Sir Francis Drake off the coast of Gravelines, now in France
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1588 in Spain — Page 2
Explore 91 historical events and records for Spain in 1588.
Historical records for Spain in 1588
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 91 unique records.
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August
Blockade of Flemish Ports
The Armada is forced to return to Spain via the North Sea & the Atlantic. 29-30 July, cannot break the blockade where the Armada must refit & obtain ammunition
Flemish Port Access Denied
The blockade prevents the Armada from using the Flemish coast for the refit and ammunition it needs before returning toward Spain
Spanish Armada, 1st
The Armada is attacked by 200 English ships, assisted by the Dutch navy, in the North Sea at Gravelines, a fire-ship attack drives the Armada ships from their anchorage, and in the ensuing Battle the Spanish abandon their rendezvous with Parma. Anchors off Calais Roads ready to rendezvous with Parma, as instructed
Battle of Flanders Coast
The Spanish are unable to reach the coast of Flanders to meet up with the army of the Duke of Parma, Medina Sidonia decides to return to Spain. The English and Spanish fleets again engage off the coast of Flanders, the English again are more successful
Battle of Flanders Coast
The Spanish are unable to reach the coast of Flanders to meet up with the army of the Duke of Parma, Medina Sidonia decides to return to Spain. The English and Spanish fleets again engage off the coast of Flanders, the English again are more successful
Spanish Armada, 1st
Parma is trapped in Dunkirk by a shallow harbour. Informed by from Parma that the "Great Enterprise" is hopeless
Spanish Armada, 1st
The Spanish are unable to reach the coast of Flanders to meet up with the army of the Duke of Parma, Medina Sidonia decides to return to Spain. The English and Spanish fleets again engage off the coast of Flanders, the English again are more successful
Spanish Armada, 1st
The English and Spanish fleets again engage off the coast of Flanders, the English again are more successful
Spanish Armada, 1st
Parma is trapped in Dunkirk by a shallow harbour. Informed by from Parma that the "Great Enterprise" is hopeless
Gravelines Fighting Forces Armada North
After fighting off Flanders, the Armada is forced northward and abandons the planned junction with Parma.
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.
September
Spanish Armada, 1st
It was reported that, when Philip II learned of the result of the expedition, he declared, "I sent the Armada against men, not God's winds and waves."
Spanish Armada, 1st
Many more died in Spain, or on hospital ships in Spanish harbours, from diseases contracted during the voyage.
Spanish Armada, 1st
Many survivors were near death from disease because the ships were cramped and had exhausted their food and water.
Spanish Armada, 1st
Only 67 ships and fewer than 10,000 men survived.
Other events (month unknown)
Captain
Appointed Leader of the Armada,
Captain
Appointed Commander of the Armada
Invasion of England
At the outset Sidonia has 128 warships and 2 converted merchant ships under his command, the plan is to sail through the English Channel and anchor off the coast of Flanders unite with the Duke of Parma's army & invade south east England
Mobilization
The Spanish fail to join up due to the Dutch "sea beggars". Spanish ships outnumber English 2:1
Naval Commissarry
Appointed Naval Commissary of Seville
Sinking of San Salvador
The San Salvador suddenly explodes while proceeding up the Channel. Sunk with 15,000 ducats & 418 sailors & soldiers. Falls to Drake's galleons while being chased up the Channel
Sinking of San Salvador - Magazine Explosion
San Salvador was crippled by an accidental magazine explosion during the Armada's Channel passage and subsequently fell into English hands.
Spanish Armada, 1st
At the outset Sidonia has 128 warships and 2 converted merchant ships under his command, the plan is to sail through the English Channel and.
Spanish Armada, 1st
The Armada is attacked by 200 English ships, assisted by the Dutch navy, in the North Sea at Gravelines, a fire-ship attack drives the Armada ships from their anchorage, and.
Spanish Armada, 1st
The Armada is blown north up the east coast of England and attempts a return to Spain by sailing around Scotland and out into the Atlantic, past Ireland but very severe weather destroys a portion of the fleet, and more than 24 vessels are wrecked.
Spanish Armada, 1st
The Armada is sent to suppress English support for the United Provinces, part of the Spanish Netherlands, and to cut off attacks against Spanish possessions in the New World and the Atlantic treasure fleets.
Spanish Armada, 1st
The expedition is supported by Pope Sixtus V, with the promise of a subsidy should it make land.
Spanish Armada, 1st
The fleet was to be commanded by the highly experienced Elvaro de , but he died in May 1588, a few months before the sailing date, and Medina Sidonia is appointed in his place.
Spanish Armada, 1st
anchor off the coast of Flanders unite with the Duke of Parmas army & invade south east England.
Spanish Armada, 1st
in the ensuing Battle the Spanish abandon their rendezvous with Parma.
Spanish Armada, 1st
Hopes to march through Kent to London & wait for a Catholic rising
Spanish Armada, 1st
Plans to join Parma at the "Cape of Margate" & carry his army from Flanders to England
Spanish Armada, 1st
At the outset Sidonia has 128 warships and 2 converted merchant ships under his command, the plan is to sail through the English Channel and.
Spanish Armada, 1st
The Armada is attacked by 200 English ships, assisted by the Dutch navy, in the North Sea at Gravelines, a fire-ship attack drives the Armada ships from their anchorage, and.
Spanish Armada, 1st
The Armada is blown north up the east coast of England and attempts a return to Spain by sailing around Scotland and out into the Atlantic, past Ireland but very severe weather destroys a portion of the fleet, and more than 24 vessels are wrecked.
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.