Spanish Square to the Spanish Armada

1. Spanish Square to the Spanish Armada MOI

2. Readings • Jones, The Art of War in the Western World, pp.192-213 • Handout

3. Learning Objectives The student will know and understand: • Spanish tactical evolution on land emphasizing Cordoba • The Battle of Pavia • The Battle of Lepanto • The defeat of the Spanish Armada • Developments in weaponry during the mid-16th century

4. Spanish Tactical Evolutions Conquest of Granada 1485-1492 • Background • Moorish kingdom attacks Castilian town • Ferdinand of Aragon & Isabella of Castile were married and turn war into religious one to expel Moors from Spain and nationalize the country • Granada very mountainous with few roads and well laid castles • Focus was on artillery, infantry and siege operations

5. Spanish Tactical Evolutions Gonzolo de Cordoba • “El Gran Capitan” • Used Economy of Force • Used combination of infantry arms (pikes, firearms, swords) to score many victories • Arquebusier Protection • Recognized vulnerability of arquebusier • Provided protection while reloading by using pike man • Analogous to current day Marine fire team, always have a rifleman to protect the machine gunner • First time small arms decisive in battle

6. Spanish Tactical Evolutions Column and Tercio • 1505- Column created by King Ferdinand based on Cordoba’s experience • Became basic fighting unit • Commanded by cabo de colunela or chief of the column, “colonel” • 1534- Tercio developed • 3 columns of men armed with arquebuses • Tactical unit of 3000 men

7. Spanish Tactical Evolutions Spanish Square • Columns eventually developed into “Spanish Square” • Made up of 50 or 60 pike men massed at front and 20 deep and Arquebusiers at corners • This allowed the arquesbusiers to fire and fall back behind pike men to reload • Became new basic fighting unit • Development of Countermarch

8. Spanish Tactical Evolutions Conquest of Granada Cont. • Results • Used strategy of attrition and blockade of Moroccan coast • Christians successfully repulsed all Moors • First introduction of a Corps of Field Messenger and Medics • Is the earliest recorded case of a field hospital • Spanish Soldier became formidable • Brought forth need for professional army

9. The Battles of Pavia and Lepanto • The Battle of Pavia 1525 • Small arms decisive. French Calvary attacked piecemeal and was methodically shot. • The Battle of Lepanto 1571 • Last significant battle in age of galley warfare • Gunpowder influence, but little else changed from traditional battle formations, “infantry battle at sea” • Christians vs. Turks • Christian Victory with Hand to Hand combat and gunpowder • Began decline of Turkish power

11. Spanish Armada • Background • Netherlands inherited by Spain • Dutch Revolt: 1568-1609 • Due to religious differences: protestant vs. Catholic • Phillip II dedicates himself to suppressing local liberties and centralizing the power of the crown • 1585 Antwerp recaptured by Duke of Parma • England forced to intervene on side of rebels

12. Spanish Armada • Background Cont: • Queen Elizabeth-policy of privateering raids for undeclared war with Phillip II • Phillip II decides to destroy Protestant sea power

13. Spanish Armada 1588 • Spanish Plan • Armada to rendezvous with Parma’s army in vicinity of Dunkirk • Armada itself carried a subsidiary landing force • English Plan • Prevent the junction of the Armada and Parma’s army

14. Defeat of Spanish Armada • English ships, guns, and gunnery decisively superior • Armada’s only chance was to close and attempt to board, but English thwarted all efforts • English used wind and speed to escape boarding from slower Spanish • Junction prevented and only a squall saved the Armada from complete destruction

15. Defeat of Spanish Armada • Spanish Ships ~130 • 63 lost • 15 sank or captured by English • 19 wrecked on Scottish or Irish coast during retreat • 33 unknown • Revolt lasted another 21 years • Heralded decline of Spanish empire and rise of English mastery of the sea

16. Reforms of Maurice of Nassau • Smaller force to make unit more flexible • Down from depth of 40 to 10 and eventually to 5 (number who could employ arms effectively) • Formations had musketeers on flanks and frontage line of pike man • Focus on drill taught by superiors • Long term enlistments • Good pay, regular professional army • Encouraged development of new weaponry (explosive shells, mapmakers, field glasses) • First military academy

17. 16th Century Weaponry • Spanish introduce Musket with range of 300 yards • Heavier • Complex operation • More Accurate • Knock down power • Wheel lock Pistol • Allowed cavalry to use one hand

18. 16th Century Weaponry • Naval Weapons • Ship Smashing Guns • Cannon-heavy iron (50lbs) at medium range • Culverin-light iron (17 lbs) at long range • Demi-Cannon 32lbs • Demi-Culverin 9lbs

19. Summary • Spanish exploit new technology and use military genius to become dominating force and create standing armies • New naval tactics used by English lead to destruction of Armada • Maurice of Nassau makes innovative changes, many still seen today to create superior forces • Use of new weapons and gun powder on battlefield make small arms important

20. Questions?