Spanish Armada Quizzes - The Tudor Society

As it's the 434th anniversary of England's defeat of the Spanish Armada at the Battle of Gravelines on 29th July 1588, I thought I'd share with you these two Spanish Armada Quizzes from our archives.

Have fun and good luck!

The Spanish Armada Quiz 1

Q1) In which year of Elizabeth I's reign was the Spanish Armada defeated?

1586

1587

1588

1589

Correct!

Wrong! It was in 1588.

Q2) At which fort did 4,000 men assemble after the Armada was sighted off the Cornish coast?

Tilbury

Dover

Deal

Southsea

Correct! Tilbury Fort was on the Thames estuary.

Wrong! It was at Tilbury Fort in Essex.

Q3) According to tradition, what was Sir Francis Drake doing when he heard news of the sighting of the Spanish Armada?

Playing tennis

He was in bed with a lover

He was in his privy

Playing a game of bowls

Correct! According to the story, he insisted on finishing his game of bowls on Plymouth Hoe before leaving to vanquish the Spanish threat.

Wrong! He was said to have been playing bowls. According to the story, he insisted on finishing his game of bowls on Plymouth Hoe before leaving to vanquish the Spanish threat.

Q4) Who was the Lieutenant and Captain General of the Queen’s Armies and Companies who invited Elizabeth I to Tilbury in July 1588?

Charles Howard, Lord Effingham

Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester

Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex

Francis Drake

Correct!

Wrong! It was Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester.

Q5) The English commanders included Lord Effingham, Francis Drake and John Hawkins, but which of these dukes commanded the Spanish Armada?

The Duke of Parma and the Duke of Medina Sidonia

The Duke of Alba and the Duke of Burgundy

The Duke of Brabant and the Duke of Saxony

The Duke of Limburg and the Duke of Luxembourg

Correct!

Wrong! The correct answer is the Duke of Parma and the Duke of Medina Sidonia.

Q6) On 28th July 1588, the English fleet sent hell-burners amongst the Spanish Armada off the coast of .......

Cornwall

Sussex

Calais

Kent

Correct!

Wrong! It was Calais.

Q7) Spain was defeated on 29th July 1588 at the Battle of ......

Flanders

Gravelines

Lepanto

Calais

Correct!

Wrong! It was the Battle of Gravelines.

Q8) What name was given to the wind that caused the remaining Spanish fleet to scatter on 30th July 1588?

God's Wind

Jehovah's Wind

The Protestant Wind

Drake's Wind

Correct!

Wrong! It was known as the Protestant Wind.

Q9) Where was Elizabeth I moved to from Richmond Palace on 30th July 1588 because it was thought to be safer?

St James's Palace

Greenwich Palace

Hatfield

Eltham Palace

Correct!

Wrong! It was St James's Palace.

The Spanish Armada Quiz 2

Q1) Following the Battle of Gravelines, how many of its main ships was Spain said to have lost (either sunk or captured)?

Correct! And many more were severely damaged.

Wrong! The answer is 5, but many more were severely damaged.

Q2) Although England had been victorious at the Battle of Gravelines, many English sailors died after they dropped anchor at Margate - why?

From typhus

Spanish sailors were hiding in the town and attacked

Margate had a plague epidemic

They had smallpox

Correct!

Wrong! An epidemic of typhus hit the English ships.

Q3) On which date did Elizabeth I give her famous "Tilbury Speech" to the forces gathered at Tilbury to protect the Thames from the Duke of Parma's forces?

30 July

9 August

7th August

5th August

Correct!

Wrong! It was on 9th August 1588.

Q4) According to tradition, what did the Queen wear for her speech?

Her coronation robes

A gown of cloth of gold

Armour

Breeches

Correct!

Wrong! She was said to have been dressed in white and to have been wearing armour.

Q5) There are a number of versions of her speech, but according to one she said: "I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a ............"

King

Lion

Dragon

Phoenix

Correct! "I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too..."

Wrong! The answer is "king".

Q6) On 20th August 1588, what took place in London?

A special joust

A royal procession through the streets

The executions of captured Spaniards

A thanksgiving service

Correct! It took place at St Paul's Cathedral and was for England's victory over the Armada.

Wrong! A thanksgiving service for England's victory over the Spanish Armada took place at St Paul's Cathedral.

Q7) True or false: There were English Catholics serving as sailors in the Spanish Armada.

True

False

Correct!

Wrong! It's true, there were English Catholics on the Spanish side.

Q8) How many ships made up the Spanish Armada?

100

130

120

190

Correct! There were 22 galleons and 108 armed merchant vessels. England is said to have had 34 warships, 163 armed merchant vessels and 30 flyboats.

Wrong! The answer is 130. There were 22 galleons and 108 armed merchant vessels. England is said to have had 34 warships, 163 armed merchant vessels and 30 flyboats.