1588 - What happened in 1588 ?

May 1588

Thursday 12:

French Wars of Religion: Henry III of France flees Paris after Henry of Guise enters the city.

Saturday 28:

The Spanish Armada, with 130 ships and 30,000 men, begins to set sail from Lisbon heading for the English Channel. (It will take until May 30 for all ships to leave port).

Monday 30:

The last ship of the Spanish Armada sets sail from Lisbon heading for the English Channel.

July 1588

Friday 29:

Battle of Gravelines: The Spanish Armada is defeated by an English naval force under command of Lord Charles Howard and Sir Francis Drake off the coast of Gravelines, France.

Sunday 31:

The Spanish Armada is spotted off the coast of England.

August 1588

Monday 08:

Defeated by the English during an invasion attempt, the surviving parts of the Spanish Armada begin to sail home. Only 67 of the original 130 ships will later reach Spain and most of these will be in poor condition.