After all, Philip proved to be, what the sailors called him, only "a Colossus stuffed with clouts." The English sailors followed up their advantage.

They went on "singeing the Ring of Spain's beard." Private adventurers fitted up a fleet under the command of Drake, and invaded the mainland of Spain.
They took the lower part of the town of Corunna; sailed to the Tagus, and captured a fleet of ships laden with wheat and warlike stores for a new Armada.

They next sacked Vigo, and returned to England with 150 pieces of cannon and a rich booty.

The Earl of Cumberland sailed to the West Indies on a private adventure, and captured more Spanish prizes.

In 1590, ten English merchantmen, returning from the Levant, attacked twelve Spanish galleons, and after six hours' contest, put them to flight with great loss.