Tudor Times is the online repository for all things Tudor and Stewart (1485–1625)

On 19th April 1587 Sir Francis Drake led a pre-emptive strike on the growing Spanish fleet that was being gathered to launch the 'Enterprise of England'. Drake and his flotilla entered the harbour at Calais and destroyed two or three ships, whilst capturing four more, loaded with provisions. The incident was referred to by Drake as 'Singeing the King of Spain’s beard'. The damage delayed the sailing of the Spanish Armada by about a year. England and Spain had been engaged in warfare-by-proxy for nearly twenty years. On Elizabeth’s accession, her brother-in-law, Philip of Spain, had supported her, rather than the rival Catholic claimant, Mary, Queen of Scots, because of the latter’s alliance with France, but increasing religious tensions, and the support by England for the Netherland’s attempts to throw off Spanish rule had led to a break-down in relations.

On 18th April 1503, a son, Henri, was born to Catherine I, Queen of Navarre, and her husband, Jean d’Albret (Jean III of Navarre). Catherine was Queen of Navarre in her own right, a claim that was disputed by her paternal uncle, Jean de Foix, and her maternal great uncle, Ferdinand of Aragon. The Spanish conquered parts of Upper Navarre in 1512, so when Henri inherited in 1517, he sought protection from further Spanish depredations by marrying Marguerite d’Angouleme, sister of the King of France to bolster his claims. Succeeded by his daughter, Joan III, Henri’s grandson (Henri IV) eventually inherited the thrones of both Navarre and France, uniting the two kingdoms.

On 17th April 1534, Sir Thomas More, former Lord Chancellor of England, was sent to the Tower of London for refusal to swear to the Oath of Succession. He remained in there for over a year, without either stating his reasons for refusal, or agreeing to sign. He said that, as he had never advised anyone else to refuse, nor criticised it, nor put any scruples into any other man’s head, but left them to their conscience, so ought he to be left to his conscience. More, son of a London lawyer, had been one of Henry VIII’s inner circle of Councillors during the 1510s and 1520s, although he was more of an intellectual companion than a member of Henry’s group of jousting and hunting companions. He worked well with Thomas Wolsey, but he and Cromwell were largely opposed politically – More was a strong supporter of the Common Law, whilst Cromwell used statute to increase the power of the Crown. Read more on their relationship here