Armada

Evardo wept as his eyes beheld the verdant slopes of the mountains that stood stark against the cobalt blue sky – the Serra de Collserola. Nestled beneath them the port of Barcelona slowly came into view. Evardo drank in every aspect, every detail, filling his heart and replenishing his spirit. For a moment he was the young boy he once was, returning from his first trade voyage across the vast Atlantic, seeing his homeland again after too long an absence.

The journey from Parma’s camp had taken nearly four months. After a month’s delay in Antwerp they had travelled overland along the Spanish Road, the trade and military route that led from the battlefields of the Spanish Netherlands through the heart of Europe to northern Italy. Evardo had sought to take the faster route home by sea along the English Channel, but Allante had insisted he take the safer course. Evardo had been obliged to concede, knowing he had little choice. The overland journey had ended in Genoa and from there Evardo and Pedro had embarked on a military galley bound for home.

The galley swept along the sea lane, its sleek hull threading a path through the slower moving trading vessels under sail, the helmsman altering his course to give way to the less manoeuvrable vessels in the age old tradition observed by all at sea. Evardo studied each ship in turn as they sped past. They hailed from every corner of the Mediterranean and beyond to the Atlantic coasts of Portugal and France. United by the common principles of trade, they also shared a faith that was the wellspring of an empire and Evardo was overwhelmed with a sense of belonging.

Warships were conspicuous by their absence amongst the profusion of sea craft and Evardo wondered if the preparations for an Armada were still continuing apace in the distant port of Lisbon. He recalled the many conversations he had had with Allante about the planned invasion of England during his month-long stay in Parma’s camp. His brother had spoken of Parma’s constant frustration over the lack of secrecy surrounding the enterprise and Evardo had noticed that even the civilian camp followers argued openly about the best way to tranship the Army of Flanders to the English coast. By necessity Parma would have to divide his available forces and leave sufficient men in the Netherlands to defend those cities already conquered. But Allante had whispered that despite this division the planned invasion force would consist of 30,000 men and 500 horse. It was a staggering amount. Evardo had prayed nightly for the deliverance of such a host.

Allante had gone on to tell Evardo in confidence of the latest plans. Initially Parma had wanted to launch his own surprise invasion from the Flemish coast to the English coastline of Kent and had cared little for the alternative strategy of a supporting invasion force launched from Spain using an Armada. His Army of Flanders was the finest in the world and would be in London long before the Marquis of Santa Cruz, or any other noble, could assemble and launch a fleet.

Now however the element of surprise had been lost. Without a following wind Parma’s invasion force might take ten to twelve hours to cross the Channel. Even in the best of conditions the crossing would take eight and during that time the flat bottomed transports would be easy prey for English galleons. Correspondence from Spain spoke of diversionary landings in Ireland, of securing a safe anchorage on the Isle of Wight before any invasion could begin, but these tactics were now incidental to the new crux of the strategy. Parma needed the Armada to defend his crossing of the narrow straits of Dover.

Evardo had marvelled at the ingenious combined strategy, but Allante had seemed uncertain, speaking of the doubts that the Duke of Parma had expressed to his aide-de-camp. Such a marriage of forces would require perfect co-ordination and a synchronicity between commanders that would be nigh impossible to achieve. It took four to six weeks to receive an answer to any query sent to Spain. How much more difficult would it be to communicate with a moving fleet of ships?

Over the course of his journey along the Spanish Road, Evardo had given much thought to his brother’s revelations. The difficulties facing the invasion were significant but they were far from insurmountable and Evardo suspected that his brother was influenced by the same mistrust of the sea shared by all soldiers. As a sailor Evardo had more confidence in the Armada’s task of supporting Parma’s crossing. The Marquis of Santa Cruz, the commander of the Armada, was a daring, formidable and highly experienced naval officer. Spanish ships and crews had forged an empire that spanned the globe. In overwhelming force they would surely sweep the English Channel clear of any fleet that might dare to attempt to thwart their plans.