1585. Elizabeth sent military aid to the Netherlands, and appointed the earl of Leicester commander-in-chief.
1586. Sir Philip Sidney mortally wounded at Zutphen. A plot discovered for assassinating the queen and liberating the queen of Scots. Babington and other conspirators executed. Trial and conviction of Mary for complicity in the plot.
1587. Execution of Mary, queen of Scots, at Fotheringay (Feb. 8).
1588. THE SPANISH ARMADA. Philip sent a large armada to invade England, but it was defeated and dispersed.
The “Invincible Armada” consisted of about 130 ships and 30,000 men, and an army of invasion of about 35,000 men was collected in the Netherlands, under the duke of Parma, ready to be carried across in transports, under the protection of the Armada. The Spaniards lost 81 vessels and 13,500 men.
1589. Henry IV. succeeded to the crown of France, and was opposed by the confederacy of the Catholic nobles, known as the League, as well as by the pope and Philip II. Elizabeth rendered him military and pecuniary aid.
1596. Cadiz captured by an armament under the earl of Essex and Lord Howard.
1598. Henry IV. granted toleration and protection to the Protestants by the Edict of Nantes. Death of Lord Burleigh, and of Philip II. of Spain. The English were defeated at Blackwater by the rebel earl of Tyrone (Aug. 14).
1599. The earl of Essex appointed lord-lieutenant of Ireland. In stead of resorting to active hostilities, he made a treaty with the earl of Tyrone. On returning home to justify his conduct, he was placed in custody, but was set at liberty the next year.
1600. Establishment of the East India Company.