First Time Poster; AH Spanish win the Anglo-Spanish War

[torque7844]

Hey all. This'll be my first post so please be gentle, and also forgive me if this one has been overdone in the past. My POD is the Spanish win the Anglo-Spanish War (1585-1604) after a successful invasion of southeastern England as the 1588 armada originally intended.

What, if anything would have been the far-reaching consequences of such a Spanish victory? Specifically, I submit the following questions for your comments:

1. On the heels of a successful invasion, would the Spanish have been able to restore a Catholic monarch to the English throne in the long term?

2. If a Catholic monarchy is re-established in England, does this naturally lend itself to the establishment of an Inquisitorial Tribunal in England?

3. Would a Spanish victory have led to primarily Spanish colonization of North America or would there have been an even larger movement of Protestants from England to the New World?

I'm interested to hear your thoughts.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Spain's primary objective for invading England was not to turn England into a catholic state again, but to stop England's support for the dutch rebels. If the spanish invasion had succeeded, England would have been forced to become a spanish ally, stopping support to the dutch and giving freedom to the catholics; but little more than that.

[rcduggan]

this scenario was used in Turtledove's Ruled Britannia, IIRC.. might be a good reference.

[cerebus]

Actually thinking about the way the Spanish acted elesewhere at the time, I would say that what ever they said they would be unable to stop them selves interfering in English religion and politics.

The result I suspect would be the opposite to that intended. England in the 16th Century was exceptionally bigoted and insular. If catholics become even more associated with foreigners I forsee a popular rebellion in the Dutch or Scottish style.

The inquisition would have no status in England at the time but there is nothing stopping a catholic king declaring all protestants traitors and allowing the secular law to deal with them. This is what Elizabeth did If IRC.

Colonisation of north america is still about 60 years away at this point. I suspect the Spanish would be satisfied with Mexico and let North America be nibbled away. Remember that this would leave France as the biggest colonial power in the area and they were dead against protestant colonists.

[Abdul Hadi Pasha]

Spain's primary objective for invading England was not to turn England into a catholic state again, but to stop England's support for the dutch rebels. If the spanish invasion had succeeded, England would have been forced to become a spanish ally, stopping support to the dutch and giving freedom to the catholics; but little more than that.

After successfully invading, it seems unlikely that they would stick to such limited objectives. Why not install a Catholic monarch? It's not too late.

[Atreus]

I agree, Spain would grab more than just an ally. The privateers would be recalled, perhaps even executed. The state of the religion would be hard to quantify. However, England would probably just be more land for the Spaish Hapsburgs to lose. And as to the Low Countries, they fought for 80 years, they would not just give up. Military defeat would be a possibility, though.

However, if the Spanish landed, they would triumph. They were battle hardened vetreans, about to attack their enemy's weakest point. The British strategy was not unified, the opposing troops were basically militia, and the defensive preparations were begun late and incomplete. In Normandy, Parma proved that he could cover a distance similar to that to london in about a weak. He was prepared with cannon to reduce "modern" fortresses, the only one of which present was Upnor Castle. The others were medieval relics, and would fall quickly to the siege artillery. Finally, many of the British vetreans avalible had proved succeptable to bribes in the low countries. Some had betrayed their positions, or had relatives who did so; others fought on both sides. The relative strengths of the treasuries meant that Phillip could buy whoever he wanted, and many known unreliables had key positions.

And, no one seems to have mentioned the possibility of Elizabeth being killed. Phillip proved he would use assasination as a weapon, and the effects could be far-reaching.

Edit: Almost forgot, welcome to the board.

[Analytical Engine]

Well, Mary Queen of Scots would probably be installed as Queen of England and Ireland.

[Max Sinister]

@Atreus: The privateers might flee to Virginia or other colonies. They won't give up the pirate life.