Yep. We have some troubles this morning. As a group with experience in the maritime world, it comes as a bit of a surprise that it has such a nautical flavor. There are multiple powers here on our planet had have the capability of employing weapons of mass destruction to achieve foreign policy goals.

It seems the United States is being eased out of it’s position as the sole Superpower by a coalition of rising nations called “BRICS.” It sounds solid as an acronym, but is simply the first letter of the nations that make it up: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Taking charge of their own destinies without looking over the shoulder to see what Uncle Sam might think about that is a huge change.

Back in the more recent past, this day was Dad’s birthday. Mom would decorate modestly, and this day’s afternoon would have a certain merriment, though understated. Dad liked to keep it memorable but low-key. He was the baby of his clan in those days and welcomed getting attention directed elsewhere. He did some research in the encyclopedia Mom purchased a volume at a time at the Kroger’s Supermarket. He came up with another holiday that helped divert the merriment.

This is one of those days he found useful to impose his will.

Depending on your schedule for this pleasant afternoon, “Overthrowing the Queen” would rank pretty high on the list of priority items.

That morning, 435 years ago to the moment, England faced a threat of major proportions. The Spanish had become concerned with the idea of Queen Elizabeth I on the throne. She was the first Protestant Queen.

The struggle about that matter was not new, but it was her turn in the royal hot-box and Spain was committed to her overthrow. August was a good month for it, just as this one in our day has rumors of conflict with China over the island of Taiwan.

Back then, the summer had been a busy one for both nations and their burgeoning Empire. Spain had amassed a fleet of historic proportions to impose Philip’s will on the Brits. His intent was to restore Catholic rule over England. It may have been the largest group of naval ships ever assembled to that date. Known in Espanyol as “La Armada Grande,” King Philip II was determined to use his Armada to impose the Will of Rome through Spanish interpretation to the Kirk in every village in England.

It was a grand project, and Philip-the-Deuce began his effort to complete it in early summer of this anniversary year. in the late 1850s, England was expanding in naval power and commenced raiding Spanish commercial sites supporting rebels in the Spanish Netherlands and ships at sea.

Pope Sixtus V in Rome gave his blessing to what was called “The Enterprise of England.” The invasion Fleet was completed by 1587, but some famous names had other opinions on the matter. Legendary navigator Sir Francis Drake made a bold raid on the Armada’s supplies in the port of Cadiz, Spain. With weather, the raid delayed the Armada’s departure until May the next year and permitted the Drake and his English sailors to prepare.

On May 19, 1588, the “Invincible Armada” set sail to secure the English Channel and transport the Spanish army to the coast of England from Flanders on the Continent. Commanding the force was the Duke of Medina-Sidonia. He brought the hundreds of ships manned by 8,000 Spanish sailors carrying 2,500 guns and almost 20,000 soldiers. There were deficiencies in his plan, which relied on boarding actions by his well-armed troops.

The Armada’s ships were slower and less well armed than the English. They did not reach the southern coast of England until July 19, and the British were ready. Off the coast of Gravelines, France, Lord Howard and Sir Francis assaulted the invaders in a furious battle eight hours in duration. At that point, the winds of change began to do so. A change in direction prompted the Spanish to alter course for the North Sea, the hopes of invasion crushed on the rugged shores of Scotland and Ireland.

Dad always enjoyed the mathematics of it. Philip had dispatched 130-odd ships from Lisbon to conquer the Brits. Of those vessels deployed, only half returned. Philip’s dreams for an expansive Spanish Empire were dashed, though the struggle went on for centuries across the globe, from the Caribbean to the Philippines.

Our nation had a hand in that, with the islands of the Western Pacific again in play. There appears to be a wind rising with change in progress as inexorable as the one that ended the Armada.

With the anniversary of the battle today, the tide of history officially turned in London’s favor. The resulting British Empire that rose with the tides lasted almost to our time. Now, it appears the tides of History are turning again. We will see where these storms blow us, since there are rocky shores around our route of passage.

But Dad’s experience on this day seems to bear out the probability that a little preparation would be useful. The winds seem to be rising, you know?

Copyright 2023 Vic Socotra
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