ArmadaThe definitive history of the Spanish Armada, lavishly illustrated and fully revised In July 1588, the Spanish Armada sailed from Corunna to conquer England. Three weeks later, an English fireship attack in the Channeland then a fierce naval battlefoiled the planned invasion. Many myths still surround these events. The genius of Sir Francis Drake is exalted, while Spains efforts are belittled. But what really happened during that fateful encounter?