Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2016
Last exams 2025
The Singeing of the King's Beard, 1587 (Edexcel GCSE History)
Revision Note
Written by: Zoe Wade
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Why was the 'Singeing of the King of Spain's Beard' a Key Event in the War with Spain, 1585-88? - Summary
Sir Francis Drake frustrated Philip II of Spain throughout the 1570s and 1580s. Drake's privateering in Spain's colonies in the Americas impacted Spain's wealth and influence in the region. In Drake's circumnavigation of the world in 1577-80, he stole £400,000 of Spanish treasure. Drake gave the treasure to Elizabeth. This angered Philip because:
It showed that Elizabeth supported the actions of privateers. Philip saw Drake as nothing more than a pirate
It meant that stolen Spanish wealth strengthened England's economy
The 'Singeing of the King of Spain's Beard' is a nickname for Drake's actions on 19th April 1586. It is formally known as the Raid on Cadiz. The nickname indicates how embarrassing the event was to Philip. A beard in medieval times was a sign of masculinity and power. To 'singe the king's beard' means the event not only destroyed Spain's reputation as a powerful country but also humiliated Philip personally.
Drake's attack on one of Spain's most important ports had a wider impact on England's war with Spain. Historians state that the 'Singeing of the King of Spain's Beard' was pivotal in the failure of the Spanish Armada in 1588.
Why was Drake Sent to the Americas in 1585?
Elizabeth had used Drake on multiple expeditions to the Americas from 1572
In 1572, Drake travelled to Panama. He captured £40,000 and returned to England in 1573
In 1577-80, Drake became the first Englishman to circumnavigate the world. He returned in 1580 with £400,000 of Spanish treasure
He had also claimed an area of California for Elizabeth. He called it Nova Albion
By March 1587, England's relationship with Spain had worsened
On 31st December 1584, Spain and France became allies against Protestantism through the Treaty of Joinville
This threatened Elizabeth and Protestant England's safety
On 10th August 1585, Elizabeth signed the Treaty of Nonsuch with the Dutch Protestants
It effectively meant Spain and England were at war with each other
On 8th February 1587, Elizabeth ordered the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots
Mary bestowed her claim to the English throne onto Philip II upon her death. This gave more motivation for Spain to attack England
In 1587, Elizabeth's army in the Netherlands had angered Philip
Philip believed Elizabeth had no right to question his rule in the Netherlands
Elizabeth sent Dudley, Earl of Leicester, to command England's army. In January 1586, Dudley accepted the title 'Governor General of the Netherlands' on Elizabeth's behalf
This undermined Philip as the anointed monarch in the Netherlands
Since January 1586, Elizabeth had heard reports of a mighty Spanish invasion force destined for England
In March 1587, Elizabeth ordered Drake to attack the Spanish navy
Elizabeth wanted to prevent Philip from building a strong fleet capable of invading England
To reach the Netherlands, Spanish ships had to sail past England through the English Channel. She believed Drake's actions would prevent Spain from sending troops and resources to the Netherlands
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Students find it difficult to remember all the events that were happening at the same time in Elizabethan England. For example, the English intervention in the Netherlands occurred at the same time as Catholic plots against Elizabeth. In your revision, try to group the events chronologically. This will help you to understand why Philip II desperately wanted to invade England by 1587.
The Events of the 'Singeing of the King of Spain's Beard'
On 19th April 1587, Drake arrived at the Spanish port of Cadiz
Cadiz was an important port for Spain
The majority of Spain's voyages to the Americas started in Cadiz
As a result, Cadiz harbour held the majority of Spain's most advanced and valuable ships
The flow diagram below shows Drake's actions in Cadiz:
How did Drake raid Cadiz harbour?
Worked Example
Describe one feature of the raid on Cadiz, 19th April 1587
2 marks
Answers:
One feature of the raid on Cadiz was the importance of Drake's tactics (1). Drake chose a specialised fleet that used the element of surprise to arrive at Cadiz harbour at dusk (1).
Examiner Tips and Tricks
This question previously asked students to describe two features of a given event. This question was out of four marks. However, as of 2025, Edexcel will split this question into two subsections, asking you to describe a feature of two different events. Each subsection is worth two marks.
What Consequences did the Raid on Cadiz Have on Spain?
The 'Singeing of the King of Spain's Beard' had short- and mid-term consequences for Spain
The table below explains how Drake's raid on Cadiz impacted Spain:
How Drake's Raid on Cadiz Impacted Spain
The 'Singeing of the King of Spain's Beard' | |
Short-term consequences | Mid-term consequences |
Drake's actions caused fear amongst the Spanish admirals. The Spanish navy did not know when or if Drake would attack again | The raid on Cadiz embarrassed Spain. It affected Spain's reputation as a European power. It proved that England's galleons and naval command were better than Spain's |
Drake's reputation as a national hero in England increased. Elizabeth considered Drake one of her most valued naval commanders | The damage to Spain's fleet was considerable. Philip had to delay the planned invasion of England for a year. This delay gave England more time to prepare for Spain's attack |
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