The Spanish Armada ( ) was a Habsburg Spanish fleet of 130 ships that sailed Self_motion from Corunna in late May 1588 , under the command Control of the Duke of Medina Sidonia , with the purpose of escorting Patrolling an army from Flanders to invade England .

Medina Sidonia was an aristocrat without naval command experience but was made Causation commander by King Philip II .

The Armada could have anchored Connect in The Solent between the Isle of Wight and the English mainland and occupied Control the Isle of Wight , but Medina Sidonia was under orders from King Philip II to meet Come_together up with the Duke of Parma 's forces in the Netherlands so England could be invaded Attack by Parma 's soldiers and other soldiers carried Carry_goods in ships of the Armada .