Queen Elizabeth and the Spanish Armada
I can describe how Elizabeth I reacted to the threat of the Spanish Armada.
Queen Elizabeth and the Spanish Armada
I can describe how Elizabeth I reacted to the threat of the Spanish Armada.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Elizabeth I faced one of her greatest challenges in 1588 when mighty Spain went to war with England.
- Spain wanted to invade England and take control of it, so they sent a huge armada to do so.
- Elizabeth sent her best sailors to fight the Spanish in the English Channel to stop them from invading.
- At the same time, Elizabeth made a famous speech to her army at Tilbury, saying she was as brave as any king.
- Although the English had fewer ships, they were helped by the weather, which blew the Spanish ships away from England.
Keywords
Armada - an armada was a large group of warships
Invade - when a group of people attack another country, moving their soldiers into it, they invade that country
Common misconception
Pupils may think England defeated Spain easily with their Navy.
It was a combination of factors that allowed England to defeat Spain including being helped by the weather.
To help you plan your year 2 history lesson on: Queen Elizabeth and the Spanish Armada, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 2 history lesson on: Queen Elizabeth and the Spanish Armada, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 1 history lessons from the Ruling and religion unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
a large group of warships
when a group of people attack another country