Title:  History of the United Netherlands, 1588

Author:  John Lothrop Motley

Release Date:  January, 2004 [EBook #4858] [Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on April 5, 2002]

Edition:  10

Language:  English

Character set encoding:  ASCII

*** Start of the project gutenberg EBOOK history United Netherlands, 1588 ***

This eBook was produced by David Widger widger@cecomet.net

[Note:  There is a short list of bookmarks, or pointers, at the end of the file for those who may wish to sample the author’s ideas before making an entire meal of them.  D.W.]

HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year’s Truce—­1609

By John Lothrop Motley

MOTLEY’S HISTORY OF THE NETHERLANDS, Project Gutenberg Edition, Vol. 58

History of the United Netherlands, 1588

Both Fleets off Calais—­A Night of Anxiety—­Project of Howard and Winter—­Impatience of the Spaniards—­Fire-Ships sent against the Armada—­A great Galeasse disabled—­Attacked and captured by English Boats—­General Engagement of both Fleets—­Loss of several Spanish Ships—­Armada flies, followed by the English—­English insufficiently provided—­Are obliged to relinquish the Chase—­A great Storm disperses the Armada—­Great Energy of Parma Made fruitless by Philip’s Dulness—­England readier at Sea than on Shore—­The Lieutenant—­General’s Complaints—­His Quarrels with Norris and Williams—­Harsh Statements as to the English Troops—­Want of Organization in England—­Royal Parsimony and Delay—­Quarrels of English Admirals—­England’s narrow Escape from great Peril—­Various Rumours as to the Armada’s Fate—­Philip for a long Time in Doubt—­He believes himself victorious—­Is tranquil when undeceived.

CHAPTER XIX.  Part 2.

And in Calais roads the great fleet—­sailing slowly all next day in company with the English, without a shot being fired on either side—­at last dropped anchor on Saturday afternoon, August 6th.

Here then the Invincible Armada had arrived at its appointed resting-place.  Here the great junction—­of Medina Sidonia with the Duke of Parma was to be effected; and now at last the curtain was to rise upon the last act of the great drama so slowly and elaborately prepared.