In the late summer of 1588 Philip II's Armada of 130 ships, having failed to invade England, disappeared into the northern seas. But what was the reality of the Spanish threat, and why did it fail? 400 years later, this handsome book answers these questions by drawing on a wealth of new evidence. Geoffrey Parker has found and analysed a huge quantity of previously unstudied material in the great archives of Spain and the Netherlands, and this information has dramatically been complemented and augmented by the discoveries from the Armada wrecks, three of which have been excavated underwater by Colin Martin. Using these unique first-hand sources, on which they have been working together since 1973, the two authors have put together the pieces of the puzzle in a way never before possible. The Spanish Armada is at last fully explained, and some unexpected conclusions reached. In the process several long-established myths are laid to rest. Above all, this book tells a story - a story which brings to life on eof the most colourful, exciting and engrossing events in all history.
