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3 July.
Paris Archives,
K. 1568. |
330. Advices from Rouen.
Yesterday a little vessel loaded with oranges arrived at Havre
de Grace, which left Laredo on the 24th, St. John's Day. She reports
that on that day a patache from the Armada came into Laredo with
the news that the Armada had arrived in Scotland, and had landed
troops. |
4 July.
Estado, 839. |
331. Deposition before the Magistrate Valladares Sarmiento,
in Lisbon, of Pedro Santa Cruz, to the effect that two
years ago next September he was on a voyage to the
Canaries, and was captured by an English ship and carried
to London, where he remained 10 months, leaving on Good
Friday last, and arriving on the 23rd June 1588.
The deposition gives an account of the Portuguese Jews, etc. then
living in London, who, the deponent says, were all in favour of
England, and carried on correspondence with persons in Portugal,
Flanders, and elsewhere to the injury of Spain. Amongst those
whom he accuses of this are, Dr. Hector Nuñez, the Queen's
physician, Alvaro de Lima, Geronimo Pardo, Hernan Alvarez,
Francisco de Tapia, and Antonio, a servant, all whom lived in the
same lodging. Other names mentioned are Richard May and his
son-in-law, Master Venables, Master William Anes (?), the son of
Benjamin George, Master Brown, Master Brook, Bernaldo Luis, (fn. 1) and
Francisco Valverde. |
5 July.
Estado, 165. |
332. The King to the Duke Of Medina Sidonia.
Your letter of 28th instant arrived yesterday ; and before I reply
to it I may say that you will have seen by my letters of 26th ultimo
and 1st instant, that my intention is not to desist from the enterprise
in consequence of what has happened, but, in any case, to carry
forward the task already commenced, overcoming the difficulties
which may present themselves. I mean, however, after the Armada
has been refitted, and your scattered forces have been re-united, or
so much of them as may be of importance. This intention of mine
is, as I say, clearly indicated in the above-mentioned letters ; but
the order given in the later of the two, for the Armada to sail by the
10th instant, is conditional upon your having been joined by the
missing ships ; and upon your having with the utmost speed made
arrangements to refit the ships, and reinforce those which are to sail
with the arms, men, and victuals of the ships which you leave
behind. By ships left behind, I mean those which you find need
repairs which will occupy a long time, and of these the hulls alone
must remain, all the contents being put on board the other vessels.
I think well, nevertheless, to repeat clearly to you here what my
meaning is. In conformity with this the Council of War will write
to you saying, that, in order to gain time, you may leave behind
12 or 15 of the least useful of your ships, transferring their contents
on to the other vessels ; always on the understanding that you shall
have been joined by the rest of the missing ships.
I now come to your letter enclosing the report and opinion of the
council you summoned. With regard to the suggestion that the
Armada should leave Corunna for the purpose of seeking along
the coast for the missing ships, that should not be adopted on any
account. The missing ships should join you there, and when all, or
a sufficient number, are united, you may proceed on your expedition,
and I approve of the orders you had sent out to this effect.
My intention, therefore, is, that when the forces are collected, the
voyage should be resumed ; for I hope that our Lord will change
these difficulties at the commencement into the triumph of His cause
at the end. Success largely depends upon fine weather, and the
season is now so advanced that not an hour should be lost. You
must, therefore, exert every effort to make ready with all
promptitude.
Since it is necessary to go forward, and the first element of
success consists in keeping your men and stores intact, you will be
very vigilant in this respect ; taking care to maintain a strict watch
over the men, so that, with the reinforcements I have ordered to be
given to you, your number should increase rather than wane. With
regard to the stores, you will serve out fresh bread, meat, and fish
to the men whilst you are in port ; and you may spend the reserve
money you take in paying for this. In no way can it be better
spent than in securing the health of the men, whilst at the same
time sparing the victuals you have laid in for the voyage. The
stores you have—enough, as you report for two months—are very
considerable, besides what you may take on board at Corunna, and
the supplies which will be sent after you, and provided for you in
Flanders. (In the handwriting of the King : "But you must take
great care that the stores are really preserved, and not allow
yourself to be deceived, as you were before.") You will be able to
see how far the reports you now send me agree with those furnished
to you in Lisbon and forwarded to me. As a matter of fact, the
information sent to me produced an impression very different from
what has turned out to be the truth. The same remark applies also
to the question of water. I gathered from your letter to the duke
of Parma, sent by Captain Moresin, that you were informed that
you had sufficient water on the fleet for two months ; and I now find
that on the very day of your arrival at Corunna you discovered
that some of the ships had no water left. All this makes it necessary
that you should be very careful in keeping all the officers well up to
their duties.
I see by the muster taken on the 28th ultimo the number of men
you had at Corunna, independent of the 10 vessels at Vivero,
two at Gijon, two at Rivadeo, and one at Santander, besides the
galleasses Patrona and Zuñiga. As these will all have joined you,
and others in addition, you will now have a good force.
I am anxious that so many of the ships were missing, some of
them important vessels, with a considerable number of men on
board. The idea, however, is that the reason why the Levant ships
and the hulks are longer away than the others, is that they could
not lie-to so well, and were obliged to run with the wind until a
change enabled them to turn and seek you at the rendezvous at
Corunna, according to the orders which I believe you gave them.
Let me know whether you did so, and give me your opinion as to
what probability there is that the missing hulks may have had
some trick played upon them by the foreign sailors on board. I
trust you were wise enough to put on board of each hulk at least
a couple of experienced and trusty Spanish sailors, as it would have
been easy, with so many troops on board, for them to have forced
the foreigners to resume their proper course if the Spanish sailors
found them going astray. I see plainly the truth of what you say,
that the Levant ships are less free and staunch in heavy seas than
the vessels built here, and that the hulks cannot sail to windward ;
but still it is the fact that Levant ships constantly sail to England,
and the hulks go hardly anywhere else but up the Channel, and it
is quite an exception for them to leave it to go to other seas. When
they do so it is for some reason other than bad weather, or the
working of the ships. It is true that if we could have things
exactly as we wished, we would rather have other vessels, but
under the present circumstances the expedition must not be
abandoned on account of this difficulty, which is not such a very
great one, after all.
I conclude by again summarising my orders. The men and
stores are to be kept intact, by feeding the men on fresh provisions.
The ships are to be united in Corunna, or, at least, so many of them
that those missing shall not be of importance ; and you are then
to prepare with all speed, so as to be ready to sail on your voyage
as soon as you receive my further orders. You must endeavour to
be in such a state of readiness by the 10th or 12th instant, that
you may be able to sail within an hour after you receive your
orders, the weather being propitious, and God's blessing upon you.
You will send me a report every day of the state of affairs, although
my intention is, after seeing the contents of your next letter, and
perhaps before, to send you the sailing orders above mentioned.—
San Lorenzo, 5th July 1588. |
5 July.
Estado, 455. |
333. Statement of the Voyage made by Ensign Esquivel in a
pinnace to Scilly to see whether there were any ships of
the Armada there.
(Left Corunna on the 27th June, and gives an account of having
seen and conveyed the Duke's orders to several ships of the Armada
in neighbourhood of Scilly.)
On Friday, 1st July, at daybreak we sighted St. Michael's Bay
and Cape Longnose, five or six leagues distant. We took in all sail
and rowed inland some four leagues. We then stood by for night
to come on, and a sail passed to leeward to us at two leagues
distance. I wished to chase her, but the pilots opposed it, as it
was late, and we were uncertain of catching her. The general
opinion was that, being so near the land, we should hardly fail
to catch a fisher-boat during the night. The wind then rose in
the S.W., with heavy squalls of rain, and such a violent gale that
during the night we had winds from every quarter of the compass.
We did our best by constant tacking to keep off the land, and at
daybreak the wind settled in the N., and we tried to keep towards
Ireland in order to fulfil our intention ; but the wind was too
strong, and the sea so heavy that the pinnace shipped a quantity
of water at every wave. We ran thus in a southerly direction,
with the wind astern blowing a gale, so that we could only carry
our foresail very low. At four o'clock in the afternoon, after we
had already received several heavy seas, a wave passed clean over
us, and nearly swamped the pinnace. We were flush with the
water, and almost lost, but by great effort of all hands the water
was baled out, and everything thrown overboard. We had previously
thrown over a pipe of wine and two butts of water. We lowered
the mainmast on to the deck, and so we lived through the night
under a closely reefed foresail.
On Sunday we were running under the foresail only, and at
nine o'clock in the morning we sighted six sails, three to the N., and
three to the S.E., although they appeared to be all of one company.
We ran between them with our foresail set, and two of those on
the S.E. gave us chase. We then hoisted our mainmast and clapped
on sail, and after they had followed us until two o'clock, they took
in sail and resumed their course. At nine o'clock we sighted another
ship lying to and repairing, with only her lower sails set. On
Monday, 4th July, we sighted land off Rivadeo. |
6 July.
Estado, 455. |
334. Duke Of Medina Sidonia to the King.
I have received your Majesty's letters of 26th (2) and 1st instant,
and thank your Majesty for the consolation brought to me. I had
need of it, for I deeply grieved at the delay experienced in the
execution of the service we desire to do to God and your Majesty ;
but those that go down to the sea in ships are exposed to these
vicissitudes, and I am consoled in the idea that He who has this
expedition in His hand, deigns to take this course with it in order
to infuse even more zeal in your Majesty, and more care in your
officers. I am convinced of this, because He has been pleased to
send into this port to-day all the missing ships except two of the
Levanters, namely, the "San Juan de Sicilia," and the "Santa Maria
el Vison," and two hulks, one of which is now in sight to leeward ;
the other being the "Casa de Paz Grande," which separated from
the rest off the Biscay coast, as she was making a great deal of
water. All the rest, without excepting even a patache, are here or in
Vivero, or Gijon. I have ordered them all to come hither as soon
as the weather serves. I have sent similar orders to Juan Martinez
de Recalde's flagship in Santander. I hear also that the two missing
Levanters separated from the others off the Biscay coast near
France. The galleon "San Luis," with the Maestre de Campo Don
Agustin Mejia on board, came into Vivero on Monday night, having
been very near Rochelle. She is much knocked about, without a
drop of water on board, her mast split, as is the case with most of
the hulks, for they encountered two heavy gales. They say that if
the Armada had been caught in the latter of them off the Scillys, or
in the Channel, it would have gone badly with us, and we should have
suffered more than we did, as we should have had no ports of refuge.
The refitting of all these ships shall be taken in hand at once. It
shall have my personal attention, for I am more anxious than anyone
to expedite matters, and get away from here. Your Majesty may
rest assured that no efforts of mine shall be spared, and when the
ships are refitted I will not fail to take advantage of the first fair
wind to sail.
I send your Majesty a statement of the navigation of the hulks,
and some of the ships that accompanied them, for your information.
The pinnace that I sent to Scilly sighted nine ships near there, these
being the vessels that entered this port yesterday. She (the pinnace)
was overtaken by a great storm inside the Scilly isles which forced
her to run for Spain, almost swamped. She arrived here yesterday,
bringing news of the coming of the ships. I send your Majesty a
statement of her voyage (see preceding and following documents).
The closest possible watch is being kept on our soldiers and sailors,
guards being posted all along the shore, and in the roads and
passages by which they might escape. So far, I do not know of a
single soldier having deserted here, and I am told that only a few
sailors are missing. Some of the sailors of the province (Galicia)
are being shipped, and they are better than the Portuguese. The
marquis of Cerralbo is attending very diligently to everything.
Fresh meat is being served out for the last two days, and the
fresh bread rations will commence to-morrow. This is a great treat
for the men and well economise our stores.
There are some cases of fever, and a fleet hospital has been
established on shore for their reception. They are progressing
favourably under care, and I hope, by God's help, that every
man will embark on the Armada. The archbishop of Santiago has
aided in supplying the hospital, as might be expected from his piety.
He has been most bounteous and charitable. He offers also to take
charge of any sick men left behind. He deserves your Majesty's
thanks. With regard to giving the contingent of men to the duke
of Parma, I will do my best according to circumstances, bearing in
mind always that it is your Majesty's intention that this Armada
should maintain its superiority over the enemy's fleet, until the
latter has been broken. In this respect, and also on the question of
the decision which the Duke and I may adopt as to seeking the
enemy's fleet before we land any men, we must be guided by events.
—Corunna, 6th July 1588.
Note.—The King replied to the above letter on the 12th July
(Estado 165), generally approving and confirming the Duke's action,
urging him to still greater activity, and ordering him on receipt of
the letter to sail for England with God's blessing, without an hour's
further delay, even though he might have to leave 12 or 15 ships
behind him. |
335. Statement of the voyage of the ship "Almiranta" (fn. 2) with
12 hulks and other ships which separated from the
Armada, up to the time they entered Corunna, this day.
(Lost sight of the Armada on 16th June. A detailed log
of the voyage, containing nothing of interest until
Wednesday, 28th June.)
On Wednesday morning, whilst we were still sailing in the
direction of Scilly, we discovered sails towards Ushant, to which the
"Almiranta" gave chase, until we were well in sight of land. We
could not get clear of it till night. Six ships came out to reconnoitre
us, and signal lights were shown on land. The hulk
"San Pedro el Menor" being in the rear was approached by three
vessels, which opened an artillery fire on her. The enemy's ships
then hoisted a lantern and made for the shore, whilst we pursued
our voyage to Scilly. The wind went round to W.S.W., and whilst
we were off the Lizard in thick weather the wind changed to N.W.
We then made a long tack to seaward W.S.W., so as to make the
Scillys from the west. With the lead always out, we continued on
long tacks all Thursday and Friday, so as to make the Scillys.
On Saturday morning we were 15 leagues off the south end of
Scilly. The previous day a violent N.N.E. wind had sprung up.
On Saturday at daybreak we sighted two ships which were
emerging from St. George's Channel between Cape Longnose (i.e.,
Land's End), and the seven stones. They came up with us, and the
hulk "Gato" attacked one of them, and captured all the men on
board, the vessel shortly afterwards foundering, two of the men
being killed, and the other, mortally wounded, going down with her.
The "Paloma Blanca" attacked the other one, capturing four men ;
but she drifted away from her, having broken her mainyard-arm.
The Admiral went on board the prize to make her fit for sailing,
but the sea was terribly rough, and the Admiral was only saved by
a miracle, for he broke two of his ribs whilst leaving the prize. We
took him on board again, and one of the soldiers from the hulk
"Paloma," who had got on board during the attack. One of these
ships reported that she was going to Biscay with wheat and some
tanned hides, and the other was bound for France with coal
(charcoal?). They had both sailed together from Dublin with
12 persons on board of each of them. The ship bound for France
had two friars on board, one a Bernardin and the other a Franciscan,
who were flying from the English in the North of Ireland, where
two important monasteries had been burnt in the last six weeks ;
the friars being burnt as well. These two had fled to the woods
The ship they were in was a Scotch vessel, the other being Irish.
The friars said they were escaping from terrible cruelties. The
Scotch shipmaster said that he had left a Scottish port called Dudat
(Dundee?) 22 days before, and it was said there that a nobleman
named (Morton?), who had come from Spain, was raising troops,
and the king of Scotland had arrested him. One of the sailors, who
had come from Dublin, said that there was news that Drake had
180 ships, divided into three squadrons of 60 sail each. Two of the
squadrons were to the east of Dover and the other at Plymouth,
20 leagues from the Lizard. It was current in Dublin that great
land preparations were being made for defence ; and that 180 or
200 great ships were coming from Spain. During this time the sea
was running immensely high from the N.E. At nightfall the
"Paloma Blanca," seeing that the ship that had been captured was
going down, was ordered by the Admiral to cast her off, which she
did. We then ran towards Corunna with the wind astern, as we
could do no more, and we were sure that no ships of the Armada
were off Cape Longnose, Mount's Bay, St. Michael's, or Scilly. The
gale continued to blow furiously until Sunday, when the wind
began to back to the north, and we tried to make for Cape Ortegal.
On Monday we sighted five vessels ahead towards the S.S.W.
We gave chase to discover whether they were ships of the Armada,
but they looked like Breton ships coming from Portugal. We then
continued our voyage to Corunna, where we arrived to-day.—
6th July 1588. |
6 July.
Estado, 594. |
336. Memorandum from Secretary Juan De Idiaquez to the
King, with marginal notes by the latter.
The letters from Flanders are enclosed. Everything seems to be
satisfactory except the question of money. I hope to God that the
Duke's tact, and the prompt arrival of the Armada, will have
averted the threatened disorders on account of the lack of money.
In order, however, to avoid any recurrence of them in future, it will
be necessary to deal with the question very energetically, and wake
the Madrid people out of their ordinary dilatoriness ; as they must
send some money to Parma on their own account, as well as some to
Mansfeldt. If the Armada is delayed there, which we should learn
by early advices, the duke of Medina Sidonia will want some. We
shall be obliged to make an extraordinary effort when we see the
result of the two financial arrangements that are now in hand.
When your Majesty has read these letters, copies of the clauses
about money shall be sent to Rodrigo Vasquez, so that he and his
council may see how dearly we have to pay for the delays and
shortcomings on this side, and that we are thus at the mercy of the
merchants, most of the fresh remittances being necessary to pay off
old debts, without relieving the present need. I cannot wonder that
the Duke submits to the exactions of the merchants, although it is
very hard upon us, because, in the first place, he has pledged his
word and wishes to maintain his credit, the loss of which he doubtless
thinks might cause even more inconvenience. Now that he has
kept his engagements with the merchants, I expect he will have
availed himself again of the same money, and other sums, by means
of new loans. He could not do so otherwise ; and although this
is a wasteful way, the Duke is to be commended for adopting it,
considering the urgent need in which he stood. |
The King's remarks in reply to the above are written on the
margin, as follows :
I have seen all these letters from the duke of Parma, and I hope
to God that your wishes on this subject may be fulfilled, for it is very
needful that they should be. Every day he advises some obstacles,
as well as that of money. He is very hardly pressed, and it is well
that the course you suggest should be adopted, and that we all
should do our utmost. I wrote last night very earnestly about it
to Rodrigo Vasquez, (fn. 3) as I wrote you at the time. I approve of the
copies of the letters being sent to him, as you say, but they must be
amended ; all that about France, Lorraine, and things of that sort,
being omitted ; as there is no reason for them to be seen. Rodrigo
Vasquez may be written to upon the subject, and he may have an
account of some of the cipher letters about England. If there is
anything in them that should not be seen, a brief summary only
need be sent him. |
7 July.
Paris Archives,
K. 1568. |
337. Bernardino De Mendoza to the King.
I have letters from England, dated 28th ultimo, reporting that
Drake and the Admiral have returned to Plymouth, with contrary
winds. They still remained there unable to put to sea in consequence
of the weather. This and the non-appearance of your Majesty's
Armada had surprised everyone, as the Queen had received news that
it had doubled Cape Finisterre, and I have from Rouen the news
I enclose herewith. Whilst the Queen-Mother was at supper last
night she said publicly that the Armada had not returned to Spain,
as had been asserted, in consequence of the plague having broken
out on board, but had landed men in Scotland. As the advices
from London, dated 28th, say nothing about this,—and they would
certainly know of it in four days—the news appears doubtful
pending further confirmation.
This King's agent in Scotland has arrived here, having left there
on the 12th ultimo. He reports that the King (of Scotland) had
declared himself much more openly than before against the Catholics,
since the arrival of the earl of Morton. I understand that the
English faction are desirous that the King should arrest Morton.
The latter had thereupon, retired further into the North, and had
raised troops. Morton, Huntly, and Claude Hamilton were in close
union, and had collected a large force in case the King should
attempt to attack them. Lord Harry Seymour and Winter are in
the Downs with the Queen's ships, and detain those that go from
Holstein and Holland to Brouage for salt, in order to increase their
strength.
The French ambassador in England reports to this King that the
Admiral and Drake warn the Queen that your Majesty's Armada is
said to be so strong that they had not sufficient forces to combat it.
—Paris, 7th July 1588. |
8 July.
Estado, 950. |
338. Count De Olivares to the King.
As it is now 39 days since the Armada sailed, I am extremely
anxious that I have no news of it. If I recollect aright it was about
this date that your Majesty landed at Southampton. (fn. 4)
His Holiness is firm in his determination not to disburse a crown
until the news arrives, and he is unyielding to the pressure I put
upon him for money when he received the news that the Armada
had sailed. As if your Majesty had not spent anything, or wanted
the money for the purpose of boarding it! The invariable reply
of the Pope is, that as soon as the intelligence comes that the troops
have landed, he will not fail to fill his part of the contract. He is
gathering money from all quarters, so as not to be obliged to trench
upon the sum in the Castle (of Sant' Angelo). He is furiously
angry with your Majesty and with me. The way in which he now
refuses the most just and usual things is exactly the same as his
attitude a year ago when he thought that this bitter hour for him
(i.e., of having to part with his money) was approaching. I am
doing my best to ensure the million (which surprises everyone) and
so far as possible to prepare matters for the loan.—Rome, 8th July
1588. |
9 July.
Paris Archives,
K. 1568. |
339. Bernardino De Mendoza to the King.
Since writing the enclosed letter of 7th, I have received reports
from Plymouth dated 29th ultimo, saying that the Admiral and
Drake were in that port, having returned in consequence of contrary
winds. Some of the men had landed, and the Admiral had issued
a proclamation on that day (29th June) ordering them all to go
on board, as he was sailing next day if the weather continued as it
was then.
By way of Olonne in France, the Admiral had learned that your
Majesty's fleet was in the port of Corunna on the 18th ultimo, and
the new confidant has news from Rouen to the same effect. He has
advices from London, of 26th ultimo, saying that as the Queen has
now no hope of peace being concluded in Flanders she was making
hasty preparations for war, and arming as many troops as she could.
The Queen was sending a gentleman to condole with the king of
Denmark on the death of his father, and it was believed that the
same envoy would afterwards go to the German Protestant princes.
—Paris, 9th July 1588. |
11 July.
Estado, 455. |
340. Admiral Juan Martinez De Recalde to the King.
(Gives an account of the arrival of the hulks at Corunna,
"Smelling of England" ; and expects the rest of the ships from
Vivero, Rivadeo, etc., to enter port the next evening. The Armada
will then again be complete, and the writer thinks that it should
be able to sail in a week. The Duke is working with great energy
with this object as usual).
I have not been able to help him much lately in consequence of
an attack of sciatica, but thank God the remedies applied have been
efficacious, and I arose to-day without pain. The Duke came to see
me yesterday and we discussed at length the sailing of the expedition.
He seems to be much vexed at having to hurry the departure. I
showed him how important speed was for the attainment of the
object. He is in great fear that the stores and provisions which are
being collected here will not be got together in time to supply the
needs of the Armada. Profiting by the permission which your
Majesty and Don Juan (de Idiaquez) give me in your letter of the
5th instant I will state my own opinion on the matter.
So far as I understand, the object of the Armada is to meet and
vanquish the enemy by main force, which I hope to God we shall do
if he will fight us, as doubtless he will.
In the contrary case we have to proceed to the Downs, and there
join hands with the duke of Parma's force in Dunkirk, whose
passage across we are to protect to the most convenient point which
may be agreed upon. This point should be the nearest possible
one on either side of the Thames.
This will take some little time, as in the case of there being a
cavalry force, as I understand there will be, it cannot be carried
over in one passage, and we shall be fortunate if it can be done
in two.
After this be done the first thing will be to obtain a port for the
Armada. If it be found possible to obtain anchorage and shelter in
the river itself, supported by the army, no other reinforcements will
be needed ; or at least those from Flanders will suffice. I imagine
from what I can see, however, that Flanders will be much exhausted,
and the help from there inconsiderable. From the mouth of the
Thames to Southampton—about 40 leagues—I know of no port
capable of taking large vessels, all the coast being very uninviting.
The harbours of Southampton and the Isle of Wight are well defended
by forts, and it appears to me that the most convenient and easiest
ports for landing would be Falmouth, Plymouth, or Dartmouth,
especially as the highly necessary reinforcements of men and stores
will have to be sent from Spain, and isolated vessels will be exposed
to much danger from the enemy higher up the Channel.
I see, nevertheless, the objection to separating the Armada from
the land force. Of the two difficulties I do not presume to judge
which is the lesser.
In the case of our encountering and defeating the enemy, I feel
sure that he will not suffer so much damage as to be unable to
repair, at all events sufficiently to impede the passage of our reinforcements
high up the Channel. But it will be difficult for him
to do this if our Armada be stationed in the above-mentioned ports
lying nearest to Spain. If it be possible for the re-inforcement to
be sent in strength sufficient to attack those ports, whilst the
conquest is being effected higher up, that will be the best course.
In that case, after the army of Flanders had been taken across and
strengthened, the Armada might return towards Ushant and meet
the reinforcements with which it might enter one of the said ports,
and then either push a force inland towards the Bristol Channel,
or form a junction with the other army.
As the Turk is not troubling us, a dozen galleys—as I write to
Don Juan (de Idiaquez)—might be sent with the supplies and men,
the latter being as much needed as the former, for they dwindle in
the same way.—Corunna, 11th July 1588.
Postscript.—I hear great complaints about the command of those
companies which are conferred upon quite young fellows because
they are gentlemen. Very few of them, therefore, are soldiers, or
know what to do, and their officers the same. This is greatly to
the prejudice of your Majesty's treasury, as there are companies with
very few men in them. It would be much better to re-form them
with not less than 120 men in each, for we are going to a place
where they cannot be recruited. |
341. Duke Of Medina Sidonia to the King.
(Gives an account of the coming in of the various scattered ships
of the Armada. The hulk "Casa de Paz Grande" is unseaworthy ;
her men and hospital stores, etc., have been transhipped.)
I received news yesterday of the other two missing hulks, the
"Paloma blanca" and the "Casa de Paz chico." They are in the
bay of Muxia, and will come hither as soon as the weather serves.
The "Paloma blanca" was chased by an English ship, which took
her for a merchantman. She followed her over two leagues, the
hulk allowing the Englishman to come up with her and then
discharged a volley of artillery and musketry which made the
enemy retire. The hulk would have chased her but for an accident
that happened. One of the soldier's powder-flasks caught fire and
fell on some cartridges, which might have resulted in the burning of
the whole ship. It was thought best to set all hands to avert this
danger rather than follow up the Englishman ... . All
possible activity is being used on board of all the ships here, and I
personally give my attention nearly every day, including holidays.
Yesterday we finished putting the new mast into the "Santa Maria
de la Rosa," of Oquendo's squadron, after a great deal of trouble, as
we were over six hours getting it upright. When I saw it finished
I thought we had not done badly. The watering, which is the
most anxious task, is proceeding apace with all the speed humanly
possible. There are 26 coopers at work repairing the butts, which
were all knocked about and broken in the gale. I hope, by God's
help, that everything will be ready by Saturday or Sunday next,
and then, if the weather serves, I shall sail from here with the
ships I have, and not wait for anything. I am arranging everything
with this object, but I am not carrying out your Majesty's idea of
transferring the men and stores from the ships left behind to others,
in the first place because there is no time to do it, and secondly
because all the ships are serviceable. To take the places of the
deserters, who are few, and of the sick, who are more numerous, I
shall ship the two companies that the marquis of Cerralbo has here,
one of which is good and the other tolerable. If no more men shall
have arrived here of the Galician levies ordered by the Marquis by
the time fixed for sailing, I shall go with the men I have. If the
new levies arrive in time, and I do not find them serviceable, I shall
not ship them, as they will only eat up the victuals and be in the
way. If the few I do ship have no arms I will supply them out of
the reserve store, as your Majesty orders.
I am still serving out fresh meat rations, but fresh bread is
lacking, as the country is so poor. I have not even been able to
supply it to the sick, and it is getting scarcer every day, as there are
so many to eat it. It has not been practicable to serve out fresh
fish rations, because there is not enough of it and it is very bad for
health. There are a great many sick ; 500 in hospital, although it
is true they are only suffering from fever, and none have died.
Some of them get well as soon as a better diet is given to them, for
nearly all of the illness is caused by bad food. As the stores have
been so long on board most of them are turning out rotten and
spoilt. With regard to this damage to, and shortness of, stores and
water, the Inspector-general, Don Jorge Manrique, has, from the
first, both in writing and verbally, informed me thereof, although
the provedores have insisted to the contrary. We are remedying
matters somewhat with the supplies we are taking in here, but the
quantity is so small that your Majesty should make a supreme
effort to provide a large addition to be sent after the Armada. If
this be not done great trouble will result, and a risk of our being
unable to hold out. All the provisions your Majesty has ordered to
be made in Lisbon, Asturias, Biscay, etc., have been very wise,
especially that of cables, small rigging, anchors, and other ship
material, as these things will be needed every hour on the Armada.
—On board the royal galleon "San Martin," 11th July 1588.
Note.—On the same day as the above the Duke sent to the King
an account of a "miracle" that had happened on the Levantine
ship "Trinidad de Scala," which had arrived at Gijon in so bad a
condition that in some places "her planks had gaped four inches
apart." The document will be found printed entire in Captain
Fernandez Duro's "Disquisiciones nauticas," but as it contains
nothing of importance is not reproduced here. |
14 July.
Paris Archives,
K. 1568. |
342. Advices from Havre De Grace.
This morning four English vessels entered the roads, and the
captain of them, Henry Paon (fn. 5) (sic), a Knight of the Garter, came
ashore to speak with the Governor, and asked him whether he had
any objection to the ships remaining in the roads to await the
sailing of the fleet from Dunkirk in order to attack it, as war was
declared.
The Governor replied that he could not permit armed ships to
remain in the roads, as they would obstruct trade. The four ships
in question contained 600 soldiers, besides sailors. They say also
that they have come to escort four or five very rich English ships
which are now in Rouen, for fear they should be captured by
flyboats.
A Biscay ship from Bayonne has arrived here, and reports that
eight days ago she came across a large number of English ships of
the fleet at anchor off Conquet. The men were not allowed to land
at Conquet. |
15 July.
Estado, 455. |
343. Duke Of Medina Sidonia to the King.
I have sent daily to your Majesty reports of the refitting of the
Armada. (fn. 6)
Your Majesty will see by the enclosed statement the men who
were present at the muster. The falling off is not so large as I
expected it would have been when we put into port, but still it is
something ; especially as the sick here will not be in a condition
to sail with us, although, thank God, they are progressing favourably,
and none of them die. Three hundred soldiers of the count de
Lemos' vassals arrived here to-day, and more are expected. The
marquis of Cerralbo also expects some troops from the county of
Monterey. If they arrive in time I will ship them, and if not,
the Lemos contingent and the two garrison companies from Corunna
will serve to fill up the short companies on some of the ships. I
will pick out some veterans and mix them with the recruits, so
that every vessel will have a proportion of old and new men.
These 300 Gallegos were not formed into companies, but distributed
amongst the short companies on the Armada. (fn. 7) I have been round
some of the ships to see to the execution of the order for demolition
and throwing overboard of all the cabins, partitions, bunks,
bedsteads, etc., and, with God's help, hope to have everything ready
for sailing by to-morrow, or the day after, weather permitting. I
have already had the squadrons of Diego Flores, Valdes, Oquendo,
and Ojeda towed out of the harbour, and the rest will go outside
to-morrow. We can then take advantage of the first fair wind to
get clear away. At present a north wind is blowing, which is
contrary for us. The men are in excellent spirits, and eager for
an opportunity to serve your Majesty.
In order that all the men might be confessed and absolved, and
that the want of accommodation should not deprive them of this
great benefit, both to their souls and bodies, I ordered all the friars
in the fleet to land on an island in this harbour, and had some tents
and altars erected for the purpose of their ministrations. I had a
good watch kept on the island, and bad the men landed in
companies. The soldiers and sailors have done so well that the
friars tell me they have already confessed and absolved 8,000 of
them. This is such an inestimable treasure that I esteem it more
highly than the most precious jewel I carry on the fleet. On this
account, and because the Armada is much improved since we left
Lisbon, the men are, as I say, contented and in high spirits.—
Corunna, 15th July 1588. |
| 13 July. |
344. Statement of the Ships, and Men of all ranks and conditions,
present at the muster at Corunna on the 13th July, held
on the Royal Armada under the command of the Duke of
Medina Sidonia, etc. |
| Ships. |
Sailors. |
Soldiers. |
Total. |
| Galleons of Portugal. |
|
|
|
| Galleon, "San Martin," flagship |
161 |
308 |
469 |
| " "San Juan," vice-flagship |
156 |
366 |
522 |
| " "San Marcos" |
108 |
278 |
386 |
| " "San Luis" |
100 |
339 |
439 |
| " "San Felipe" |
108 |
331 |
439 |
| " "San Mateo" |
110 |
279 |
389 |
| " "Santiago" |
80 |
307 |
387 |
| " "San Cristobal" |
79 |
132 |
211 |
| " "San Bernardo" |
65 |
171 |
236 |
| Zabra, "Julia" |
48 |
87 |
135 |
| " "Augusta" |
43 |
49 |
92 |
|
1,058 |
2,647 |
3,705 |
| Squadron under Diego Flores Valdes. |
|
|
|
| Galleon, "San Cristobal," flagship |
116 |
187 |
303 |
| " "San Juan," vice-flagship |
90 |
206 |
296 |
| " "San Juan the Less" |
77 |
207 |
284 |
| " "Santiago the Great" |
103 |
190 |
293 |
| " "Ascencion" |
70 |
170 |
240 |
| " "San Medel y Celedon" |
75 |
197 |
272 |
| " "Nuestra Señora del Barrio" |
81 |
196 |
277 |
| " "Santa Ana" |
54 |
99 |
153 |
| " "San Pedro" |
90 |
184 |
274 |
| " "Nuestra Señora de Begoña" |
81 |
219 |
300 |
| Ship, "Trinidad" |
79 |
162 |
241 |
| " "Catalina" |
134 |
186 |
320 |
| " "San Juan Fernan Dome" |
57 |
183 |
240 |
| Patache, "Nuestra Señora del Socorro" |
15 |
20 |
35 |
| " "San Antonio" |
20 |
20 |
40 |
|
1,229 |
2,579 |
3,808 |
| Squadron under Juan Martinez de Recalde |
|
|
|
| Ship, "Santiago," vice-flagship |
106 |
206 |
312 |
| " "Maria Juan" |
93 |
213 |
306 |
| " "Madalena" |
61 |
183 |
244 |
| " "Concepcion Mayor" |
58 |
161 |
219 |
| " "Concepcion" |
58 |
167 |
225 |
| " "San Juan" |
49 |
141 |
190 |
| " "Gran Grin" |
75 |
261 |
336 |
| " "Santa Maria de Montemayor" |
47 |
155 |
202 |
| " "Manuela" |
48 |
115 |
163 |
| Patache, "Maria" |
25 |
19 |
44 |
| " another "Maria" |
25 |
20 |
45 |
| " "San Estéban" |
25 |
10 |
35 |
| " "Isabela" |
29 |
24 |
53 |
|
699 |
1,675 |
2,374 |
| Squadron under Don Pedro de Valdes. |
|
|
|
| Ship, "Nuestra Señora del Rosario," flagship |
119 |
240 |
359 |
| " "San Francisco," vice-flagship |
85 |
238 |
323 |
| " "Duquesa Santa Ana" |
65 |
207 |
272 |
| " "San Juan Bautista" |
84 |
249 |
333 |
| " "Concepcion" |
69 |
191 |
260 |
| " "Santa Catalina" |
69 |
220 |
289 |
| " "Santa Maria del Juncal" |
60 |
227 |
287 |
| " "San Bartolomé" |
56 |
184 |
240 |
| " "San Juan Gargarin" |
38 |
165 |
203 |
| " "Trinidad" |
54 |
156 |
210 |
| Patache, "Espiritu Santo" |
15 |
18 |
33 |
|
720 |
2,089 |
2,809 |
| Squadron under Miguel de Oquendo. |
|
|
|
| Ship, "Santa Ana," flagship |
125 |
275 |
400 |
| " "Santa Maria de la Rosa," vice-flagship |
85 |
238 |
323 |
| " "San Salvador" |
90 |
281 |
371 |
| " "Santa Barbara" |
47 |
135 |
182 |
| " "Santesteban" |
73 |
201 |
274 |
| " "Santa Maria" |
73 |
166 |
239 |
| " "San Buenaventura" |
54 |
158 |
212 |
| " "Maria San Juan" |
40 |
95 |
135 |
| " "Santa Cruz" |
40 |
125 |
165 |
| Hulk, "Doncella" |
29 |
112 |
141 |
| Patache, "Ascencion" |
16 |
18 |
34 |
| " "San Bernabé" |
17 |
17 |
34 |
| " "Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe" |
12 |
|
12 |
| " "Magdalena" |
14 |
|
14 |
|
715 |
1,821 |
2,936 |
| Squadron under Martin de Bertondona. |
|
|
|
| Ship, "Regazona," flagship |
80 |
291 |
371 |
| " "La Via," vice-flagship |
71 |
271 |
302 |
| " "Veneciana Valencera" |
75 |
338 |
413 |
| Gaileon of the Duke of Florence |
89 |
294 |
383 |
| Ship, "Santa Maria encoronada" |
93 |
355 |
448 |
| " "Juliana" |
65 |
347 |
412 |
| " "San Nicolas" |
68 |
226 |
294 |
| " "Anunciada" |
80 |
186 |
266 |
| " "Trinidad Escala" |
66 |
342 |
408 |
|
687 |
2,610 |
3,297 |
| Hulks under Juan Gomez de Medina. |
|
|
|
| Hulk, "Gran Grifon," flagship |
45 |
234 |
297 |
| " "San Salvador," vice-flagship |
53 |
218 |
271 |
| " "Barca de Amburg" |
30 |
259 |
289 |
| " "San Pedro el Mayor" |
34 |
110 |
144 |
| " "Casa de Paz," chica |
21 |
154 |
175 |
| " "Sanson" |
31 |
184 |
215 |
| " "Ciervo Volante" |
39 |
132 |
171 |
| " "Falcon Blanco," mayor |
34 |
182 |
216 |
| " "San Gabriel" |
16 |
31 |
47 |
| " "Castillo Negro" |
46 |
157 |
203 |
| " "Perro Marino" |
18 |
80 |
98 |
| " "Santa Barbara" |
24 |
26 |
50 |
| " "Santiago" |
38 |
32 |
65 |
| " "San Pedro Menor" |
22 |
176 |
198 |
| " "Gato" |
41 |
30 |
71 |
| Hulks "San Andres" |
39 |
26 |
65 |
| " "Barca de Antique" (Dantzic) |
28 |
150 |
178 |
| " "Buenaventura" |
15 |
49 |
64 |
| " "Esayas" |
24 |
23 |
47 |
|
593 |
2,257 |
2,844 |
| Ships and Pataches under Agustin de Ojeda. |
|
|
|
| Ship, "Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza" |
59 |
114 |
173 |
| Hulk, "Caridad" (English) |
87 |
43 |
80 |
| " "San Andres" |
38 |
27 |
65 |
| Patache, "Nuestra Señora de Fresneda" |
20 |
|
20 |
| " "Concepcion" |
19 |
|
19 |
| " "Otro Concepcion" |
21 |
18 |
39 |
| " "Nuestra Señora del Puerto" |
27 |
28 |
55 |
| " "Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe" |
32 |
17 |
49 |
| " "Nuestra Señora de Begoña" |
23 |
|
23 |
| " "Concepcion" |
18 |
|
18 |
| " "San Jeronimo" |
40 |
|
40 |
| " "Nuestra Señora de Gracia" |
26 |
17 |
43 |
| " "Concepcion" |
18 |
|
18 |
| " "El Santo Crucifijo" |
24 |
40 |
64 |
| Zabra, "Trinidad" |
24 |
|
24 |
| " "San Andres" |
17 |
|
17 |
| " "Nuestra Señora de Castro" |
18 |
|
18 |
| " "Concepcion" |
18 |
|
18 |
| " "San Juan" |
29 |
|
29 |
| " "Ascencion" |
18 |
|
18 |
| " "Santa Catalina" |
20 |
|
20 |
|
546 |
304 |
850 |
| Water Carwels. |
|
|
|
| Caravel, "Nuestra Señora de la Ascencion" |
14 |
|
14 |
| " "San Jorge" |
11 |
|
11 |
| " "Concepcion" |
24 |
|
24 |
| " "San Antonio" |
17 |
|
17 |
| " "Otro San Antonio" |
16 |
|
16 |
| " "San Juan" |
8 |
|
8 |
| " "Jesus de Ayuda" |
11 |
|
11 |
| " "San Lorenzo" |
5 |
|
5 |
| " "Concepcion" |
19 |
|
19 |
|
125 |
|
125 |
| Galleasses. |
|
|
|
| "San Lorenzo," flag |
124 |
246 |
368 |
| "Napolitana," vice-flag |
100 |
221 |
321 |
| "Zuñiga" |
102 |
196 |
298 |
| "Girona" |
120 |
229 |
349 |
|
446 |
890 |
1,336 |
| Galleys. |
|
|
|
| "Capitana" |
53 |
56 |
109 |
| "Princesa" |
44 |
37 |
81 |
| "Diana" |
47 |
32 |
79 |
| "Bazana" |
46 |
26 |
72 |
| 7 felucas. |
190 |
151 |
341 |
| General Summary. |
|
Ships. |
Sailors. |
Soldiers. |
Total. |
| Galleons of the Crown of Portugal |
11 |
1,058 |
2,647 |
3,705 |
| " of Diego Flores Valdes |
16 |
1,229 |
2,579 |
3,808 |
| " of Juan Martinez de Recalde |
13 |
699 |
1,675 |
2,374 |
| " of Don Pedro de Valdes |
11 |
720 |
2,089 |
2,809 |
| " of Miguel de Oquendo |
14 |
715 |
1,821 |
2,536 |
| " of Martin de Bertondona |
9 |
687 |
2,610 |
3,297 |
| " of Juan Gomez de Medina |
19 |
593 |
2,251 |
2,844 |
| " of Agustin de Ojeda |
21 |
546 |
304 |
850 |
| Caravels with stores |
9 |
125 |
|
125 |
| Galleasses under Don Hugo de Moncada |
4 |
446 |
890 |
1,336 |
| Galleys under Diego de Medrano |
4 |
190 |
151 |
341 |
| Felucas |
7 |
42 |
|
42 |
|
131 |
7,050 |
17,017 |
24,067 |
| Generals, Staff Officers, Unattached, &c. |
| There are on the Armada, Generals, Admirals, Chiefs of
Squadrons, and Field Officers |
41 |
| Salaried officers unattached |
219 |
| Gentleman adventurers |
254 |
| Officers of artillery gunners and muleteers |
124 |
| Hospital establishment |
93 |
| Friars, &c. of various orders |
198 |
| Ministers of justice |
9 |
| Servants of unattached officers and adventurers |
450 |
|
1,388 |
The above is exclusive of 450 sick men in hospital on shore.
The following is a list of ships and their companies which have
not yet arrived at Corunna :— |
|
Sailors. |
Soldiers. |
Total. |
| Ship, "Santa Maria de Gracia," put into Laredo |
53 |
267 |
320 |
| " "Santa Maria de Vison," " " |
38 |
183 |
221 |
| Hulk, "Casa de Paz Grande," " " |
70 |
255 |
325 |
| Flagship of J. Martinez de Recalde's squadron, put into
Santander. |
101 |
311 |
412 |
| Hulk, "David," put into Vivero, unserviceable |
23 |
51 |
74 |
| " "La Paloma Blanca," put into Muxia |
30 |
67 |
97 |
| " "Falcon Blanco Mediano," put into Muxia |
23 |
57 |
80 |
| Zabra "Concepcion," sent to Flanders |
20 |
|
20 |
|
358 |
1,191 |
1,549 |
Note.—On the 19th July the Duke wrote to the King (Estado,
455) saying that he was now only awaiting a fair wind to set sail.
The above ships had then all joined him at Corunna, except the
hulk "Casa de Paz Grande," with 800 quintals of biscuit, and the
"David," with 300 quintals of biscuit, with beans, peas, etc.
It may be interesting to compare the above complete list of the
ships that sailed from Corunna with the adjoined statement of those
that were lost. It is extracted by Captain Fernandez Duro from
the transcript of a "relation" at Simancas, the original of which
I have not been able to find. |
A Statement of all the Vessels of the Armada which were lost.
Galleon "San Felipe," of Portugal.
Biscay Squadron.
"Santa Ana," flagship. Lost at Havre.
"Gran Grin," vice-flagship.
"Concepcion de Zubelzu."
"Concepcion de Juanes del Cano."
"La Maria Juan."
Patache, "Maria de Aguirre."
" "De Miguel de Suso." |
Castilian Squadron.
"San Juan Bautista." Lost in Ireland.
Galleon, "San Juan."
"Trinidad."
Patache, "Nuestra Señora del Socorro."
" "San Antonio de Padua." |
Andalucian Squadron.
"Nuestra Señora del Rosario," flagship. Captured by the
enemy.
Hulk, "Duquesa Santa Anna."
Patache "Espiritu Santo." |
Squadron of Guipuzcoa.
"Santa Ana," flagship. Burnt at San Sebastian.
"Nuestra Señora de la Rosa," vice-flagship. Lost in Ireland.
"San Salvador." Burnt in the fighting.
"San Esteban."
Hulk, "Doncella." Lost in Santander.
Patache, "Ascencion."
Pinnace, "Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe."
" "Magdalena." |
Levantine Squadron.
"La Lavia," vice-flagship.
"La Rata." Lost in Ireland.
"San Juan de Sicilia."
"La Trinidad Valencera."
"La Anunciada." Sunk off Ireland.
"San Nicolas Prodonell."
"Juliana."
"Santa Maria de Vison." |
Squadron of Hulks.
"Gran Grifon," vice-flagship. Lost in Ireland.
"Perro Marino."
"Falcon Blanco," mayor.
"Castillo Negro."
"Barca de Amburg."
"San Pedro Mayor."
"San Pedro Menor."
"Falcon Blanco," mediano.
"Ciervo Volante."
"Ventura."
"Santa Barbara."
"Santiago." Lost in Ireland.
"David." |
Squadron of Pataches.
"Nuestra Senora del Pilar," flagship.
"Caridad inglesa."
"Crufijo."
"Concepcion de Carasa."
"Nuestra Señora de Begoña."
"San Jeronimo."
"Concepcion de Francisco de Latero."
"San Francisco."
"Nuestra Señora de Castro."
"Concepcion de Somarriba."
"Concepcion de Valmaseda."
"Santa Catalina."
"San Juan de Carasa."
"Ascencion." |
Galleasses.
"San Lorenzo," flag galleass. Lost in Calais.
"Gerona."
"Zuñiga." |
Galleys.
"Diana." Lost at Bayonne. |
Ships lost, 41. Pataches, 20. Galleasses, 3. Galleys, 1. Total, 65.
The above list understates the number of ships lost on the Irish
coast. In the Carew Papers, Vol. 611, p. 149, will be found a list of
17 ships, with 5,394 men, that were wrecked or sunk off that coast.
Amongst these were certainly the "Barque of Hamburg," the
"Valencera," the "San Juan de Sicilia," the "San Marcos," the
"Duquesa Santa Ana," the "San Juan Bautista," the "Falcon
Blanco Mediano," the galleass "Girona," the vice-flagship "Gran
Grin," and the "Rata Coronada." |