If the Spanish Armada had successfully invaded England in 1588 the course of British history would have been altered forever. Read about the build up to the Spanish invasion, the measures Elizabeth I took to sabotage the campaign, and the events that led to England's victory against the Spanish Armada.

22 Dec 2021
Three portraits, one unique display – the Armada Portraits of Elizabeth I
In February 2020, the three surviving Armada portraits of Queen Elizabeth I went on display together for the first time in their history. As the National Portrait Gallery’s portrait leaves Greenwich, we reflect on what we learned from bringing the three paintings together.
The Spanish Armada: history, causes and timeline
Learn more about the defining moment of Elizabeth I's reign
Why are there three versions of the Armada Portrait?
Did you know there are three versions of the 'Armada Portrait' of Elizabeth I? Take a closer look at the different faces of a Queen...
21 Jul 2016
The ‘Armada’ portrait and Elizabethan propaganda
What was the legacy of the defeat of the Spanish Armada and Elizabeth I's famous Tilbury speech, and what can the Armada Portrait tell us about it?
13 Jul 2016
Elizabeth the Vanquisher – the defeat of the Armada
Learn about the Spanish Armada's arrival off the English coast and the most famous speech of Queen Elizabeth's reign
08 Jul 2016
Elizabeth I and the build-up to the Spanish Armada 1588
On 22 July 1588 the Spanish Armada, a force of 130 ships and 18,000 men, left northern Spain and headed for the English Channel. Its objective was to rendezvous with a large army assembled in the Netherlands, commanded by the Duke of Parma
Queen Elizabeth I’s speech to the troops at Tilbury
It has become one of the defining speeches in British history - read the words Elizabeth is supposed to have said in full
Elizabeth I: the road to war
The threat to the Crown from Catholic forces continued to grow for Queen Elizabeth I during the 1580s.
Elizabeth I and the Spanish Armada
In December 1587 Queen Elizabeth I put Lord Howard of Effingham in charge of England's defence against the Spanish Armada.