Hawkins pioneered, and was an early promoter of, English involvement in the Atlantic slave trade. Elizabeth’s Tilbury speech – 9 AugustĮlizabeth visited her troops and reportedly delivered a rousing speech, which boosted morale and demonstrated Elizabeth’s determination to be seen as a strong leader.Sir John Hawkins (also spelled Hawkyns) (1532 – 12 November 1595) was an English naval commander, naval administrator, privateer and slave trader. The battle ended in the afternoon when the English fleet ran out of ammunition. In rough seas it lasted for nine hours, with great damage being done to the Spanish fleet, which for most of the time were unable to return fire due to a lack of trained gunners.Ībout 1,000 Spaniards were killed and over 800 wounded. There followed an immense naval battle off Gravelines, during which the Spanish fleet were bombarded by the long-range English guns.
Although none of these hit a Spanish ship they were enough to make the Spanish take up anchor and set off in disarray. Shortly after midnight on 7 August, the English sent in eight ‘fireships’ loaded with tar, gunpowder and other flammable materials. Upon reaching Calais, the Armada, led by the Duke of Medina Sidonia, learnt that the Duke of Parma’s troops were not yet ready to board the Spanish ships and as a result the Armada would have to anchor off Calais and wait. Events at Calais, the ‘fireships’ and the Battle of Gravelines Events at Calais – 7 August 1588
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