Spanish Armada Philip expressing grave doubts about the planned campaign, but this was prevented from reaching the King by courtiers on the grounds that God would ensure the Armada's success. Prior to the undertaking, Pope Sixtus V allowed Philip II of Spain to collect crusade taxes and granted his men indulgences. The blessing of the Armada's banner on 25 April 1588, was similar to the ceremony used prior to the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. On 28 May 1588, the Armada set sail from Lisbon and headed for the English Channel. The fleet was composed of 130 ships, 8,000 sailors and 18,000
Alfonso Armada Alfonso Armada Divisional General Alfonso Armada Comyn, 9th Marquis of Santa Cruz de Rivadulla (February 12, 1920 – December 1, 2013) was a Spanish military officer involved in both the Spanish Civil War and the 1981 attempted coup d'état in Spain. Armada was born into an aristocratic and pro-monarchist family. He joined the Francoists in the Spanish Civil War and also participated in the Siege of Leningrad during World War II with the Blue Division. Armada rose in prestige over decades, eventually becoming a tutor, and then an aide, to Juan Carlos, and becoming part of the royal household when