📕 Chapter 3: A Long and Illustrious History
What was the Spanish Armada?
Correct answer: A fleet of ships sent to invade England in 1588
A A Spanish trading company
✓ A fleet of ships sent to invade England in 1588
C A peace treaty with Spain
D A Spanish colony in America
💡 Explanation
The Spanish Armada was a great fleet sent by Philip II of Spain to invade England in 1588.
Key facts to remember
- Elizabeth I reigned 1558-1603
- Re-established Church of England
- Elizabethan era considered a golden age
- Spanish Armada defeated in 1588
- Victory made England a major naval power
- Sir Francis Drake sailed around the world
- Shakespeare wrote during Elizabethan era
- Elizabeth known as the 'Virgin Queen' — never married
- Died 1603 without an heir
Why this is the answer
From the official Life in the UK study material — 3.3.4 Elizabeth I:
Elizabeth I, daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, became queen in 1558 and reigned until 1603. She was a Protestant and re-established the Church of England as the official church. Her reign is known as the Elizabethan era and is considered a golden age of English culture, exploration, and national pride.
In 1588, Philip II of Spain sent a great fleet of ships — the Spanish Armada — to invade England. The English navy, helped by storms, defeated the Armada. This victory made England a major naval power. Elizabeth also encouraged exploration and trade. Sir Francis Drake became the first Englishman to sail around the world.
The Elizabethan era saw a flourishing of English literature and theatre. William Shakespeare, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language, wrote his plays during this period. Other notable writers included Christopher Marlowe and Edmund Spenser. Elizabeth never married and was known as the 'Virgin Queen'. She died in 1603 without an heir.
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