WI: The Armada had landed?

What if the Spasnish Armada had actually been able to land in England? What would've happened?

I don't think England's land forces at the time were very good, especially compared to the tercios. Maybe if Elizabeth tried to turn London into Stalingrad something might be doable, but in open battle, things aren't going to go well.

Hopefully the Dutch could cut off the Spanish troops from reinforcement and resupply so their armies wither on the vine. They had a good navy at the time.

Or if the Armada was able to evade Drake rather than fight him and beat him, he could try to pull something himself.
 
Last edited:
I don't think England's land forces at the time were very good, especially compared to the tercios. Maybe if Elizabeth tried to turn London into Stalingrad something might be doable, but in open battle, things aren't going to go well.

Hopefully the Dutch could cut off the Spanish troops from reinforcement and resupply so their armies wither on the vine. They had a good navy at the time.

Nah, I imagine Elizabeth would probably relocate to York or Oxford to try and wait and it out. Of course, she was prepared to die with her troops, so I wouldn't be surprised if she viewed herself as a modern day Joan or Arc or Constantine XI (the last Byzantine Emperor). The English forces were fairly ragtag; there was a great constrast after the Armada ended IOTL; Elizabeth sent the troops home and many of those suffering men who had died or had been severely wounded were not paid because Elizabeth could not afford it, creating a destitute class who had become so serving their sovereign. Philip on the other hand was very generous with pensions for the widowers and children of those who had died, as well as those awfully wounded.

I've no clue what might happen if the Armada lands. The majority of the English were hostile at this time and would make things difficult for the Spanish. Support from English Catholics were overstated; of course many supported Mary, but her death left no real Catholic successor. Many Catholics accepted the Pope in all things Spiritural and Elizabeth in all things political. Might Elizabeth seek to enlist Scottish help or would James VI simply feign neutrality, or come to her aid in hopes to further cement his eventual succession? It could also give a chance for the Huguenots under Henri IV overcome the League especially if Henri III is assassinated on time. We could see Henri IV reunite France and then extend aid to England. An invasion might have a positive aspect on Protestant power in the North; sure England is momentarily breeched, but perhaps we see the Dutch Rebels fully take the Southern Netherlands and France finally maim the League? Elizabeth's reputation depends if she dies with her troops or manages to hold on enough to eject the English. I don't see her letting herself get captured. She was prepared to fight to the death.

Philip II would certainly proclaim his daughter Isabella Clara Eugenia s Queen of England in any case of successful Armada (even if only a brief success), the same daughter he intended to be proclaimed Queen of France in lieu of Henry IV. Mary Stuart had ceded her claims to Philip in her will, bypassing James VI given his religious affiliations. I could see Spain occupy a portion of England for a time, but the plan of the Armada was too ambitious and would remove Spanish troops from vital fronts in the Netherlands and France. Even if they gain ground in England, they'll lose it in those other areas. The other issue are Spanish finances. I think Elizabeth would just head to Oxford or York, and wait for her chance to strike, backed up by Protestant aid and arms. The fact is, the Armada is doomed to fail. Even if it lands, it's in hostile territory, there are no funds, and Spain's logistics are pushed to the limit. Even their figure head, Queen Elizabeth II is useless. She's Catholic, Spanish, and virtually unknown. Any disposal of Elizabeth would need Mary Stuart as it's head IMO. The other other option would be her daughter Catherine Michelle, but she has the same handicaps and in 1586 had married the Duke of Savoy. Isabella is much more likely, with her crowning tied to a marriage with the Duke of Parma's son and heir, Ranuccio (b. 1569), with Parma instead passing to Ottavio (b. 1573).
 
Last edited:
The Scots intervening is a good idea--if the Spanish make Isabella and her husband the new monarchs, there goes James VI becoming King of England.
 
The Scots intervening is a good idea--if the Spanish make Isabella and her husband the new monarchs, there goes James VI becoming King of England.

Yep. I added onto the last post, but I think the Duke of Parma would push for the Archduchess Isabella to marry his son and heir, Ranuccio Farnese. He had a second son who could succeed in Parma. It'd be a good way for Philip to reward Alessandro's life's work, and Ranuccio would be a good match, given he is Philip's great-nephew (his grandmother was Philip's half sister) and his own mother was a Portuguese Princess, Infanta Maria of Guimarães. Ranuccio was technically King Sebastian of Portugal's heir through feudal custom, so it'd be a way for Philip to reward the Farnese for not contesting his succession in Portugal. Alessandro also has a 'spare' who can succeed in Parma.
 
Top