![]() If the Spanish troops were happy as they bartered with the French, the same could not be said of the Armada’s admiral. The Spaniards paid heavily for the service Eggs, which were particularly in demand, changed hands at no less than 25 times their usual price. Soon, anyone who could lay hands on some kind of boat was heading for the anchored galleons, and the rest of the day was spent in brisk trade. Meanwhile, as they waited for the conflict to start, it seemed a pity not to make some money out of the Spanish sailors.Ĭalais became a hive of activity. They told each other that they had never liked the English much anyway, and that it had been clear for a long time that the bitter disagreements between Spain and England could only end in war. The project did not particularly worry the citizens of Calais. The 19,000 water-borne soldiers were to invade England. The French were well aware that the Spanish Armada, crammed with weapons and men, was on no pleasure cruise. Nothing like it had been seen before, and certainly no similar fleet would sail up the Channel again. For this was a sight worth seeing! No less than 130 superbly equipped galleons, galleys and transports – almost the whole sea-going strength of King Philip’s navy. ![]() It was a Saturday when the Spanish Duke of Medina Sidonia anchored his Armada off Calais, and the French made the most of the occasion. Against it stood a swarm of gallant little ships, armed with new ideas about how to fight at sea, and ready to fight to the last man. The fleet that Philip of Spain sent against England was the greatest ever seen in the Channel. ![]()
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