AD. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1588. 



owne Province and Porte for the defence thereof, and 

 transporting the armie of the duke under the protection 

 of their huge navy, they might invade England. 



It is reported that the chiefe commanders in the navy, 

 and those which were more skilfull in navigation, to wit, 

 John Martines de Ricalde, Diego Flores de Valdez, and 

 divers others found fault that they were bound unto so 

 strict directions and instructions, because that in such 

 a case many particular accidents ought to concurre and 

 to be respected at one and the same instant, that is to 

 say, the opportunitie of the wind, weather, time, tide, 

 and ebbe, wherein they might saile from Flanders to 

 England. Oftentimes also the darkenesse and light, the 

 situation of places, the depths and shoulds were to be 

 considered : all which especially depended upon the 

 conveniencie of the windes, and were by so much the 

 more dangerous. 



But it seemeth that they were enjoined by their com- 

 mission to ancre neere unto, or about Caleis, whither 

 the duke of Parma with his ships and all his warrelike 

 provision was to resort, and while the English and 

 Spanish great ships were in the midst of their con- 

 flict, to passe by, and to land his souldiers upon the 

 Downes. 



The Spanish captives reported that they were deter- 

 mined first to have entred the river of Thames, and 

 thereupon to have passed with small ships up to London, 

 supposing that they might easily winne that rich and 

 flourishing Citie being but meanely fortified and inhabited 

 with Citizens not accustomed to the warres, who durst 

 not withstand their first encounter, hoping moreover to 

 finde many rebels against her Majestic and popish catho- 

 liques, or some favourers of the Scottish queene (which 

 was not long before most justly beheaded) who might 

 be instruments of sedition. 



Thus often advertising the duke of Parma of their 

 approch, the 20. of July they passed by Plimmouth, 

 which the English ships pursuing and getting the wind 



212 



J 



