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Armada

From the 1560s the threat of Spanish attack on England had been increasing, with rumoured plots to dethrone Elizabeth I. After the defeat of English ships in the Battle of Sao Miguel in 1582, a Spanish attack seemed imminent. Finally the Spanish sent an invasion fleet, the Armada, in July 1588.

Spain was the richest country in Europe and the dominant military power. Nevertheless, the English fleet aided by fortunate winds, defeated the invasion fleet and the onshore defence forces of local militia, some armed with just agricultural implements, were never tested. The victory of 1588 did not end the war and throughout the 1590s the government was issuing a constant stream of instructions to its local representatives about preparing defences in case Spain attempted another invasion.

The Sutherland Papers include a wide range of documents which tell us about military preparations for attacks by Spain during this period. Many of these are from the Deputy Lieutenant’s Papers of Sir John Leveson of Halling (1555-1615).

Who was Sir John Leveson of Halling (1555-1615)?

Sir John Leveson (1555-1615) played a major role in military preparations against foreign invasion in the late sixteenth century. Many of his papers concern the military defences of Kent in the late 1580s. In 1590 Sir John was appointed Deputy Lieutenant for Kent working under the Lord Lieutenant, William Brooke, Lord Cobham.

In addition to orders from the Privy Council and Lord Cobham relating to the raising of troops, Sir John’s papers include surveys of Kentish defences and descriptions of military tactics in the event of foreign invasion. His papers provide an invaluable insight into the military history of the late sixteenth century.

Click here to see documents relating to the life of Sir John Leveson of Halling (1555-1615) in the Sutherland Papers
Click here to see Armada documents in the Sutherland Papers