Vanessa Collingridge and the team answer listener’s historical queries and celebrate the way in which we all ‘make’ history.
Programme 9
27 November 2007
The Spanish Armada
Making History listener Ian Barrett got in touch to question the received story of England’s fight with the Spanish Armada. Not least because of the death rate amongst the sailors who fought and how they were neglected when the Spanish fleet had been defeated.
Lord Howard writing to William Cecil in August 1588
" ... It is a most pitiful sight to see, here at Margate, how the men, having no place to receive them into here, die in the streets. I am driven myself, of force, to come a-land, to see them bestowed in some lodging; and the best I can get is barns and outhouses. It would grieve any man's heart to see them that have served so valiantly to die so miserably...".
Professor Pauline Croft at Royal Holloway, University of London directly answered Ian’s question. Despite the work of Howard and Drake in ensuring that ships were clean and sailors looked after, only half of the casualties were a direct result of combat. However, this was the same in any conflict right up until the nineteenth century, particularly one where men were at sea and away from fresh food for weeks at a time.
On their return to England, sailors would have either joined another ship or travelled back to their home town or village which would be responsible for their well-being through the Poor Law. Clearly, these places were not required to do anything to help them.
Professor Croft suggests the following books which will help listeners interested in the conditions that sailors endured on ship:
Martin and Parker, The Spanish Armada (second edition) Mandolin (28 Oct 1999)
B. Whitehead, Brags and Boasts: Propaganda in the year of the Armada (1994)
Armada: The Official Catalogue of the 1988 exhibition (M.J. Rodriguez-Salgado and the staff of the National Maritime Museum)
Making History consulted the author Neil Hanson about the lead up to the conflict and the myths surrounding English seamanship and Elizabeth 1st’s speech to the troops at Tilbury.
I am come amongst you all, as you see at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live or die amongst you all; to lay down for my God, and for my kingdom, and for my people, my honor and my blood even in the dust. I know I have the body of a week and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and a king of England too. And think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any Prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm!"
Neil’s book “The Confident Hope of a Miracle: The True Story of the Spanish Armada” is published by Vintage.
Making History listener Rowena Rowling has a copy of this small book which appears to borrow from the work of Aristotle in its advice for midwives in the nineteenth century. However it was probably a so-called 'reproduction'. Many 19th century manuals claimed to have found lost knowledge, adding to our
knowledge of classical texts. Lots were printed in the 19th century for a quick profit. They were very popular in America and this led to them being criticised as being pornographic.
It begins:
'A midwife ought to be of middle age, neither too old, nor too young, nor subject to diseases, fears or sudden frights...A lady's hand, a hawk's eye and a lion's heart, to which it may be added activity of body and a convenient strength, with caution and diligence; not subject to drowsiness, nor apt to be impatient. She ought to be sober and affable, not subject to passion, but bountiful and compassionate and her temper cheerful and pleasant, that she may the better comfort her patients in sorrow. Nor must she be very hasty, though her business may perhaps be in another place, lest she should make more haste than good speed. Above all, she ouught to be qualified with the fear of the Gods [changed to 'God' in Victorian editions], which is the principal thing in every state and condition, and will furnish her on all occasions both with knowledge and discretion. But now I proceed to more particular direction...'
Reporter Richard Daniel met up with Penelope Walton Rogers, proprietor of the Anglo Saxon Laboratory in York, who has undertaken a major study of graves and settlements to find out more about 6th century fashion.
Vanessa has presented science and current affairs programmes for BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Discovery and has presented for BBC Radio 4 & Five Live and a regular contributor to the Daily Telegraph and the Mail on Sunday, Scotsman and Sunday Herald.
Contact Making History
Send your comments and questions for future programmes to: Making History BBC Radio 4 PO Box 3096 Brighton BN1 1PL
Vanessa has presented science and current affairs programmes for BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Discovery and has presented for BBC Radio 4 & Five Live and a regular contributor to the Daily Telegraph and the Mail on Sunday, Scotsman and Sunday Herald. 