The Advance Toward Lisbon (June 1589)

• After a modest victory at Puente de Burgos, Norreys and Drake marched on Lisbon, hoping for a Portuguese revolt against Spain.
• However, despite Lisbon’s garrison being disaffected, no uprising occurred.
• Meanwhile, on June 30, 1589, Drake seized a fleet of Hanseatic ships that had broken the English blockade on Spanish trade by sailing around Scotland.
• This seizure required an official justification, leading to the publication of a Declaration of Causes by the Queen’s printer to defend the action.

Conclusion: A Costly and Failed Expedition

• The 1589 English campaign in Spain was a failure, as:
  • The Spanish fleet remained intact, continuing to threaten England.
  • The hoped-for Portuguese rebellion never materialized.
  • Heavy losses in personnel and resources made the expedition a financial disaster.
• Elizabeth I and her investors, expecting riches, faced significant losses, requiring justification for the failed campaign.

The failed attempt to capitalize on the Armada’s defeat meant that Philip II could rebuild Spain’s naval strength, prolonging Anglo-Spanish hostilities for another decade.