The Spanish Armada, 1588 / The Tapestry Hangings of the House of Lords Representing the Several Engagements Between the English and Spanish Fleets.

by John Pine

THE LORD HOWARD OF EFFINGHAM.

Charles, second Lord Howard of Effingham, and Lord High Admiral of England, was son of the first lord and grandson of Thomas, second Duke of Norfolk.

He was born 1536, and after much service was appointed, in 1585, Lord High Admiral of England, and was chief in command against the Spanish Armada, in 1588.

As he was a staunch Roman Catholic, history will forever honor the tremendous efforts made by him to frustrate the landing of this powerful combination of land and sea forces, fitted out as it were under the auspices of the Pope of Rome, and his loyalty to his Queen and country.

In 1596, he commanded the fleet while the Earl of Essex commanded the land forces in the expedition against Cadiz. For this meritorious service he was created Earl of Nottingham. In 1599, in anticipation of another invasion by the King of Spain, he was given the sole command of the army and navy, with the title of Lieutenant-General of all England. He commanded the troop that subdued the Essex rebellion, and under James I. was employed in several distinguished capacities, and died December 14, 1624, aged eighty-eight, having some years before resigned the office of Lord High Admiral, in the behalf of the favorite Villiers, Earl of Buckingham, receiving in exchange a pension of £1,000, and the acquittal of a debt of £1,800 due the Crown.