Appendix: April 1587

Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 21, Part 1, 1586-1588. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1927.

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'Appendix: April 1587', in Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 21, Part 1, 1586-1588, (London, 1927) pp. 658-659. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/foreign/vol21/no1/pp658-659 [accessed 18 March 2024]

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April 1587

1587. After April 21./May 1. Advertisements out of France of the proceedings of the English fleet under Sir Fras. Drake at Cadiz, having arrived there on the [19–] 29] April.
The governor immediately took order for closing up the avenues where the enemy might most easily disembark, and sent to the Duke of Medina Sidonia at St. Lucar, and to all the neighbouring places to demand help. The enemy at once began to plunder and burn the ships, but seeing the precautions taken, did not attempt to land. Don Pedro d'Acuna did his utmost to damage them, but their artillery being greater than his, was constrained to retire. All night there was great confusion in the town, and the enemy having found the galleys in the port landed men to sack and burn any they could board. On Thursday the galleons make another attack, but were again driven back by the artillery. That day the Duke of Medina arrived with his forces, and on Friday [21 April-] 1 May, the enemy retired, having burnt 19 vessels, and carrying off great quantities of victuals, munitions etc.
Note of Drake's ships. 27 in all, besides the barques, but the Englishmen taken said they had not more than 4000 men, including the mariners.
French. 2¾ pp. [S.P. Dom. Addenda, Eliz. XXX., 21.]