kers," he told his
royal mistress that he believed the Spaniards would attempt serious
invasion ere long. But Elizabeth then laughed the idea to scorn.

"They are not so ill-advised. But if they do come"--and Her Majesty
added her favourite oath--"I and my people will send them packing!"

The Queen took measures to prepare her subjects accordingly, whether she
thought the invasion likely or not. All the clergy in the kingdom were
ordered to "manifest unto their congregations the furious purpose of the
Spanish King." There was abundant tinder ready for this match: for the
commonalty were wider awake to the danger than either Queen or Council.
The danger is equal now, and more insidious--from Rome, though not from
Spain--but alas! the commonalty are sleeping.

Lord Henry Seymour was sent off to guard the seas, and to intercept
intercourse between Spain and her Flemish ports. The Earl of Leicester
was appointed honorary commander-in-chief, with an army of 23,000 foot
and 2352 horse, for the defence of the royal person: Lord Hunsdon, with
11,000 foot more, and 15,000 horse, was sent to keep guard over the
metropolis; and Charles Lord Howard of Effingham, Lord High Admiral of
England, was appointed to conduct the naval defence.

It is the popular belief that Lord Howard was a Papist. He certainly
was a Protestant at a later period of his life; and though it is
doubtful whether positive evidence can be found to show his religious
views at the time of the invasion, yet there is reason to believe that
the popular idea is supported only by tradition. [See Appendix.]

Tilbury, on the Thames, was chosen as the rendezvous for the land
forces. The Queen removed to Havering, which lay midway between her two
armies. It was almost, if not quite, the last time that an English
sovereign ever inhabited the old Saxon palace of Havering-atte-Bower.

The ground around Tilbury was surveyed, trenches cut, Gravesend
fortified, and (taking pattern from Antwerp) a bridge of boats was laid
across the Thames, to stop the passage of the river. Calculations were
made as to the amount requisite to meet the Armada, and five thousand
men, with fifteen ships, were demanded from the city of London. The
Lord Mayor asked two days for consideration, and then requested that the
Queen would accept ten thousand men and thirty ships. The Dutch came
into the Thames with sixty sail--generous friends, who forgot in
England's hour of need that she h