For four centuries, Sir Francis Drake has symbolised English nonchalance and cunning in the face of danger. First, according to the legend drummed into every pupil, he insisted on finishing his game of bowls on Plymouth Hoe as the Spanish Armada approached in July 1588. Then he despatched the enemy ships with little more than a few burning rowing boats and a favourable breeze.
But yesterday, it was claimed that Elizabeth's protestant throne was saved by a less celebrated ally: the Turkish navy.
Jerry Brotton, a lecturer at Royal Holloway College, London, told the Guardian Hay literary festival that a hitherto unnoticed letter from Elizabeth's security chief and spymaster, Sir Francis Walsingham, to her ambassador in Istanbul showed that it was Turkish naval manoeuvres rather than Drake's swashbuckling which delivered the fatal blow to the Spanish invasion plans.
The letter, which ordered the ambassador, William Harborne, to incite the Turks to harry the Spanish navy, was written in the mid-1580s and has been buried in archives ever since because it did not apparently relate to any major historical event.
But Mr Brotton told the fes tival: "Walsingham's plan was ultimately successful. Ottoman fleet movements in the eastern Mediterranean fatally split Philip II's armada _ So alongside all the stories we're told at school about why the Spanish Armada failed to conquer Britain and destroy Protestantism, we should add another reason: the Anglo-Ottoman alliance brokered by Elizabeth, Walsingham [and others]."
In his letter to Harborne, Walsingham wrote: "Her Majesty being, upon the success of the said King of Spain's affairs in the Low Countries, now fully resolved to oppose herself against his proceedings in defence of that distressed nation, whereof it is not otherwise likely but hot wars between him and us, wills me again to require you effectually to use all your endeavour and industry in that behalf."
Walsingham hoped that Islamic forces might keep the Spanish forces "thoroughly occupied" by "some incursions from the coast of Africa", or by attacking his Italian territories from the sea.
The Spanish fleet was eventually defeated on July 30 1588 as it awaited the rest of the invasion force off Calais. At the battle of Gravelines, the English navy used fireships before closing in on the confused Spanish.

Amazing what you learn every day isn't it?

It figures that the Turks would still be smarting from the drubbing my ancestors gave them when we thrw them out of the country, and willingly cooperated with the underhanded English scheming.   Sure, all this English crying about "fair play" and all that ...   as long you're not held to the same standard!

(Note to Hagar - I do have to see the doc about that tongue-in-cheekitis problem I suffer so much about!)

GeneticA. If I might add my comments. Yes, this an international forum as most of us are well aware. I'm not sure quite what offended you but, being English, if anyone is offended it should be Woodlouse & me. However, we both know that these things were said in a lighthearted manner, the "tongue-in-cheekitis" that Felix mentioned. If I were to go off in a huff every time someone poked fun at me or my country I would have left this forum years ago. LOL

I've always thought that misunderstanding other people causes the majority of problems in this world of ours. If only we could all lighten up a little & not take things so seriously all the time it would be so much better. A sense of humour is a wonderful thing & a smile is far better than a frown.

PS. Where I come from, poking fun at other nations is a national pastime. If we can't find a suitable victim we insult each other. All in good fun of course.