Lord Howard of Effingham was made admiral on account of his title, but the vice-admiral was Sir Francis Drake, to whom the chief credit of the action must fall.
[Sidenote: July, 1588] The battle in the Channel was fought for nine days.

There was no general strategy or tactics; the English simply sought to isolate and sink a ship wherever they could.

Their heavier cannon were used against the enemy, and fire-ships were sent among his vessels.

When six Spanish ships had foundered in the Channel, the fleet turned northward to the coasts of Holland.

During their flight an uncertain number were destroyed by the English, and a few more fell a prey to the Sea Beggars of Holland.