THE SPANISH ARMADA ad 



1588. 



And for the same purpose the king Catholique had 

 given commandement long before in Italy and Spaine, 

 that a great quantitie of timber should be felled for the 

 building of shippes ; and had besides made great 

 preparation of things and furniture requisite for such 

 an expedition ; as namely in founding of brasen Ordi- 

 nance, in storing up of corne and victuals, in trayning 

 of men to use warlike weapons, in leavying and muster- 

 ing of souldiers : insomuch that about the beginning of 

 the yeere 1588. he had finished such a mightie Navie, 

 and brought it into Lisbon haven, as never the like had 

 before that time sailed upon the Ocean sea. 



A very large and particular description of this Navie 

 was put in print and published by the Spaniards ; wherein 

 were set downe the number, names, and burthens of the 

 shippes, the number of Mariners and souldiers through- 

 out the whole Fleete ; likewise the quantitie of their 

 Ordinance, of their armour, of bullets, of match, of gun- 

 poulder, of victuals, and of all their Navall furniture was 

 in the saide description particularized. Unto all these 

 were added the names of the Governours, Captaines, 

 Noblemen and gentlemen voluntaries, of whom there 

 was so great a multitude, that scarce was there any family 

 of accompt, or any one principall man throughout all 

 Spaine, that had not a brother, sonne or kinseman in 

 that Fleete : who all of them were in good hope to 

 purchase unto themselves in that Navie (as they termed 

 it) invincible, endlesse glory and renowne, and to possesse 

 themselves of great Seigniories and riches in England, 

 and in the lowe Countreys. But because the said de- 

 scription was translated and published out of Spanish 

 into divers other languages, we will here onely make , number 



, .J 1 • r 1 n 1 r and quailtie of 



an abridgement or briere rehearsall tnereor. ^^^ ^j^ip^ i^ 



Portugal furnished and set foorth under the conduct the Spanish 



of the duke of Medina Sidonia generall of the Fleete, with 



Fleete, ten Galeons, two Zabraes, 1300. Mariners, the^ou Idlers 



3300. souldiers, 300. great pieces, with all requisite pieces of Ordi- 



furniture. nance. 



199 



