The The Last Spanish Armada - 9781912866618

An account of the last Spanish Armada's descent on the British Isles in 1719 set in the context of the War of the Quadruple Alliance, 1718-1720. Overshadowed by the better known Spanish Armada of 1588, three centuries ago, the final Spanish Armada set sail against England and Scotland. This little known invasion is often treated as part of the little known Jacobite campaign of 1719. However, this invasion and the subsequent campaign in Scotland were part of the virtually unknown War of the Quadruple Alliance. This conflict has never been hitherto covered in a book in the English language. This book is a study of war and diplomacy involving several of the European powers, with fighting on the high seas, in Scotland, Spain, Sardinia, and Sicily. It is a tale of a once great power taking advantage of apparently favourable international circumstances to regain parts of its lost empire. Success seemed possible, but the fortunes of war are fluctuating and luck only goes so far. Eventually the realities of military power reasserted themselves with bloody results. This book presents an account of this little known war. The emphasis is on Britain's naval, diplomatic and military efforts, whilst not neglecting those of its allies and enemies, both abroad and at home. It draws on a variety of little or unused primary sources held at the National Archives and elsewhere and boasts a cast of interesting and unusual characters. AUTHOR: Dr Oates has been interested in the Jacobite period since his schooldays in the 1980s. His undergraduate dissertation and doctorate (Reading University, 1991 and 2001) focussed on the impact of the Jacobite threat in the north east of England in 1715 and 1745. He has had 31 books published, five of them on aspects of the Jacobite campaigns from 1715-1746, including studies of the battles of Sheriffmuir and Preston. He is currently working on a book about the battles if the entire campaigns, 1689-1746, a biography of General Hawley and is co-editing a volume of the Duke of Cumberland's correspondence from 1745-1748. He is employed as an archivist in London and regularly gives talks on family, local and criminal history. He lives with his wife and son in Buckinghamshire, and regularly visits Scotland for research and social purposes.