Spanish Armada 1588 progress and defeat - Elizabethan nautical chart map by John Pine, 1739 art print poster canvas gift

Spanish Armada 1588 progress and defeat - nautical charts by John Pine, published in London "according to Act of Parliament in 1739", and later in a book titled "Expeditionis Hispanorum in Angliam vera Descriptio, A.D.1588".

Charts VII - VIII (of ten); Chart VII "Represent the Sharpest engagement that happen'd between the two Fleets, on July 25, against the Isle of Wight"; Chart VIII "The Spanish Fleet is seen sailing up the Channel, intending to stop at Dankirk or Calais, where they were to be joined by the Duke of Parma; the English follow them close". This beautiful plate also features portraits of British navy commanders Sir Martin Forbisher (Frobisher) and Sir John Hawkins, with Victory standing below and holding a shield with a list of knighted commanders, on top of Columna Rostrata. At the bottom, Navy commanders are being knighted and captured weapons are brought from defeated Spanish Armada ships.

John Pine (1690 - 1756) was an English designer, engraver, and cartographer during the British Enlightenment. He began his career as an apprentice goldsmith and later became a versatile artist and designer, producing engravings of paintings, as well as maps and documents for Freemasons, finally becoming Engraver of His Majesty's Signet and Seals.

The Spanish Armada (Invincible Armada, Enterprise of England) was a Spanish Fleet that sailed against England in 1588 in order to escort an invasion force from Flanders, overthrow Elizabeth I, reinstate Catholicism in England, end support for the Dutch Republic, and prevent attacks by English and Dutch privateers against Spanish interest in Americas. The Spanish fleet was met by the English fleet based in Plymouth. In comparison to Spanish galleons, the English ships were superior in speed and manoeuvrability. The Armada managed to reach the Calais intact but was scattered after English fire-ships night attack, suffering further losses in the Battle of Gravelines. Forced by the strong winds and pursued by the English, the Spanish escaped into the North Sea and later returned home via Scotland and Ireland exhausted and starving, with up to 24 ships lost in storms and thousands of men perished. The famous bad weather, modern naval guns and better battle tactics of the English were main factors contributing to the Spanish Armada defeat.

This poster is a high quality "giclée" reproduction of a restored antique original, custom-printed on Standard Single-weight Matt Coated art paper 140gsm or  Heavyweight Matt Coated art paper 230gsm (more of a thin card density), or superb Epson Matt Canvas 320gsm, according to your choice. We use the latest UltraChromeHDX pigment inks which guarantee 60 years of colour  permanence (up to 200 years fade-proof for colour prints).  This poster is suitable for mounting and framing, as well as direct display on a wall.