Dan Snow takes to the sea to tell the story of how England came within a whisker of disaster in summer 1588. When Elizabeth I ascended to the English throne in 1558, she rejected Philip II, Emperor of Spain and until recently her brother-in-law, as a suitor. Thirty years later, he would lead a huge invasion force against her, seeking to depose Elizabeth and bring Protestant England back into the Catholic fold. It was a decision that would define them both, and change the future course of their respective countries.
Episode 1 Dan Snow tells the story of how England came within a whisker of disaster in the summer of 1588.
Episode 2 A look inside the court of Elizabeth as the Spanish fleet prepares for full-on invasion.
Episode 3 Documents reveal a web of misunderstandings that stopped the Spanish from invading.
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