The Armada

The Armada
Gallery Worksheet
In the spring of 1588 King Philip 11 of Spain sent an armada of one hundred and thirty
ships to conquer England. Forty failed to return to Spain, with twenty-six being wrecked off
the coast of Ireland.
bowl
clay
to hold food/
eat from
t
t
t
t t
Complete this chart to get a view of life on board a sixteenth century sailing
ship.
Name
Material
Purpose
Imagine you were a soldier on board the Girona. Write a short letter home complaining
about conditions on board ship. Use the information above to help you.
Life on Board
Find an artefact on display that proves that the sailors caught fish to vary their diet.
(An artefact is a man-made object. Draw it here.)
Many wealthy noblemen sailed with the Armada.
Select three items they would have worn or used
that best show this wealth. Name them here.
1.
2.
3.
Why have so few items of clothing survived?
Find these items in the exhibition
Silk tassle
Gold buttons
What do these items tell you about the style of men’s dress in the sixteenth century?
How did this ring help to establish that the wreck of the Girona had been found?
Religion
‘First and foremost, it must be clearly understood by all, from the highest to the lowest that
the principal aim of His Majesty is the service of God’
by order of the Duke of Medina Sedonia
Who is he referring to as ‘His Majesty’?
What does Medina Sedonia say is His Majesty’s aim in sending the Armada?
From your own knowledge give one other reason why His Majesty sent the
Armada.
Some of the objects on display show how important religion was to King Philip.
Find four religious objects, name them and describe or draw them.
Find this object on display.
It contained wax from paschal (Easter)
candles blessed by the Pope.
Why do you think the Pope supported Spain’s attack on England?
Put these events in the correct chronological order.
A
The attack by the fireships off Calais
B
The Armada sets sail from Lisbon
C
The Girona sinks off the County Antrim coast
D
The battle of Gravelines
E
The Girona pulls in for repairs to Killybegs, County Donegal
1
2
3
4
5
Of all the objects on display, which one would you pick to illustrate the story of the Armada?
Draw it here.
Why did you pick this object?