energetic company, who at last, in 1606, began the real colonization of Virginia, for which Ralegh had paved the way. The new colonists heard that the people left by White had been miserably slaughtered; some however had escaped and gone far inland, where they lived peaceably with the natives. It was reported that there were still seven English alive, four men, two boys, and one maid; but the new settlers never found them.

THE

CHAPTER V.

The Spanish Armada.

HE time had now come when Philip II. determined to make an open attack upon England. In 1587, Elizabeth had at last been persuaded to consent to the execution of Mary Queen of Scots. Since her flight from Scotland in 1568, Mary had been kept in prison in England for nineteen years altogether; and she had been a centre round which discontent could always gather. Plots had been formed with the object of restoring her to liberty, making her Queen of England, and bringing back the Catholic religion. Philip II. had often threatened to interfere on her behalf.

By the execution of Mary, Elizabeth removed the object of endless intrigues at home and abroad. Henceforth the real question of the day was clearly set before the minds of all Englishmen. But Mary's execution hurried on the plans of Philip II. So long as Mary lived, Philip could only interfere in Mary's behalf. Now that she

was dead, he could go forth to conquer England in his own name. Hitherto he had hoped to reduce the Netherlands first, and thence proceed to re-establish Catholicism in England. But he found England in the way of his plans. English help had encouraged the Huguenots to carry on their resistance in France; English gold had helped Philip's revolted subjects in the Netherlands; English seamen had again and again robbed him of his treasure. Philip determined to alter his plans. England was the key to the Protestant resistance in Europe. England must be entirely crushed before he could succeed in striking a death-blow to Protestantism. To Englishmen the problem was made simple by the attitude of Philip. English Catholics, or other malcontents, were willing enough to fight for Mary Queen of Scots; but they would fight for Elizabeth rather than see their country crushed by Philip.

Philip's preparations were delayed by the reckless daring of Drake, who, in 1587, led a fleet of twenty-five sail into the harbour of Cadiz, with the view of "singeing King Philip's beard,” as he said. There he found sundry great ships laden with provisions for the projected invasion of England. He sank some thirty-four ships, and carried away four more with him, and did other damage on the coasts of Spain and Portugal. So Philip's preparations were delayed; and though he set to work with new vigour to fit out a mighty fleet, which should once for all crush these im

1588] PREPARATION FOR ARMADA FIGHT. 59 pudent islanders, it could not be got ready before June, 1588.

This fleet, "the most fortunate and invincible Armada," consisted of 132 ships, manned by 8,766 sailors and 2,088 galley slaves, and carrying 21,855 soldiers. Alexander, Prince of Parma, who was now Spanish Commander in the Netherlands, and the greatest general of the age, was to join the fleet in the Channel with 17,000 Spanish troops from the Netherlands, so that there might be an army of 50,000 men for the invasion of England.

Meanwhile Elizabeth could not believe in the danger which was threatening her. It seems as if both she and Burleigh had hoped, up to the last moment, that they would be able to avert it by negotiations. Both the army and the navy were in a thoroughly unfit state to meet the invaders. The Lord High Admiral, Lord Howard of Effingham, was in despair, and wrote to Walsingham and Burleigh begging for reinforcements, and complaining bitterly of the condition of the navy.

In one thing the English people were strong, and that was in their union. Mary of Scotland was dead, and the country was no longer distracted with divisions. All, Protestants and Catholics alike, were ready to gather round their Queen and do their utmost to keep out the foreigner. In the Royal Navy, when all was done, there were only thirty-four ships, with 6,279 men; but every nobleman and gentleman who was able, provided and

manned ships at his own expense, and the seaport towns sent out their vessels. In the end, some 197 ships were got together, though many of them were only small barques and pinnaces. In number they exceeded the Spanish fleet, but their tonnage only amounted to 30,144, whilst that of the Armada was 59,120. In all his preparations, Lord Howard was aided by the advice of the great English seamen, Drake, Hawkins, and Frobisher. Drake was appointed Vice-Admiral, and got together a fleet of sixty vessels at Plymouth. Most of these were volunteer barques manned with the brave seamen of Devon and Cornwall.

Meanwhile Sir Walter Ralegh was chiefly engaged in making preparations to defend the coast and repel an invasion, should the Spaniards be able to land. His advice seems to have been much listened to in the Queen's councils. He made large levies of the men of the Stannaries, and did all he could to strengthen the defences of the isle of Portland, of which he was governor. At Tilbury an army was gathered together under Leicester; and here Elizabeth, roused at last to the sense of her danger, and full of courage to meet it, tried to impart her own confidence to her soldiers. "Let tyrants fear," she said. "I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good will of my subjects. . . . . I know I have but the body of weak and feeble