July 29

Battle of Gravelines — Spanish Armada Routed

English fire ships scattered the anchored Spanish Armada fleet in the night, and English warships under Drake and Howard attacked the disordered fleet the following day off Gravelines, inflicting heavy damage. Storms later destroyed many fleeing Spanish ships.

The Armada's defeat preserved Protestant England and the Dutch Republic, ended Spanish hopes of invading England, and marked the beginning of English naval supremacy.