English Emigrants on Spanish Ships (1585–1604)

The article examines the role and presence of English emigrants in the Spanish fleet during the Anglo-Spanish War (1585–1604). The conducted research indicates that English seafarers were present on Spanish ships in small numbers. This can be attributed not only to the prolonged war and the predominantly locally-formed Spanish crews, but also to long-standing cultural prejudices held by the English against living in Spain. Negative attitudes from the Spanish themselves also played a role. Emigrants were often assigned to the Lisbon Armada, the coastal squadron, which was the least active among all the Atlantic squadrons. It is likely that this was due to distrust from the Spanish authorities, rather than a lack of professional experience among the English. English emigrants were also not permitted to serve on ships that sailed between America and Europe. Nevertheless, some Englishmen were able to distinguish themselves in naval battles, such as the Great Armada’s expedition in 1588, the capture of the galleon Revenge in 1591, or the successful raid of galleys on the settlement in Mounts Bay, Cornwall, in 1595. Additionally, the English were valuable to the Spanish as pilots with knowledge of the English coast, and as individuals capable of interrogating prisoners in English. The research revealed that the financial conditions of service in the fleet were unsatisfactory, which increased the likelihood that most emigrants were religiously motivated. The earnings and reputation of sailors on Spanish ships were lower than those of sailors in the English navy and private ships, which relied on privateering and, to some extent, piracy

Distrust · Earnings · Emigration · Human settlement · Navy · Reputation · Spanish Civil War · Colonialism, slavery, and trade · Historical Influence and Diplomacy · Maritime Security and History