THE SPANISH ARMADA ad. 



1588. 

 English now going on shore, provided themselves forth- 

 with of victuals, gunne-powder, and other things ex- 

 pedient, that they might be ready at all assayes to 

 entertaine the Spanish fleet, if it chanced any more to 

 returne. But being afterward more certainely informed 

 of the Spaniards course, they thought it best to leave 

 them unto those boisterous and uncouth Northren seas, 

 and not there to hunt after them. 



The Spaniards seeing now that they wanted foure or The Spaniards 

 five thousand of their people and having divers maimed ^°^^^^^ ^f ^^^^^ 



J . , J T 1 • 1 • 1 round about 



and sicke persons, and likewise having lost 10 or 12 Scotland and 

 of their principall ships, they consulted among them- Ireland, and 

 selves, what they were best to doe, being now escaped ^0 to returne 

 out of the hands of the English, because their victuals j?J^^- 

 failed them in like sort, and they began also to want ^ ' -^ 

 cables, cordage, ankers, masts, sailes, and other naval 

 furniture, and utterly despaired of the Duke of Parma 

 his assistance (who verily hoping and undoubtedly ex- 

 pecting the returne of the Spanish Fleet, was continually 

 occupied about his great preparation, commanding abun- 

 dance of ankers to be made, & other necessary furniture 

 for a Navy to be provided) they thought it good at 

 length, so soone as the winde should serve them, to 

 fetch a compasse about Scotland and Ireland, and so 

 to returne for Spaine. 



For they well understood, that commandement was 

 given thorowout all Scotland, that they should not have 

 any succour or assistance there. Neither yet could they 

 in Norway supply their wants. Wherefore, having taken 

 certaine Scotish and other fisherboats, they brought the 

 men on boord their owne ships, to the end they might 

 be their guides and Pilots. Fearing also least their fresh 

 water should faile them, they cast all their horses and 

 mules overboord : and so touching no where upon the 

 coast of Scotland, but being carried with a fresh gale 

 betweene the Orcades and Faar-Isles, they proceeded 

 farre North, even unto 61 degrees of latitude, being 

 distant from any land at the least 40 leagues. Heere the 



229 



