Spanish Naval Power, 1589–1665
Reconstruction and Defeat

The first comprehensive analysis of Spain's naval forces after the defeat of the Great Armada in 1588.

David Goodman (Author)

9780521522571, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 13 November 2003

328 pages, 10 b/w illus. 7 maps 2 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.9 cm, 0.48 kg

'… important analysis.' The Mariner's Mirror

This is the first book to attempt a comprehensive analysis of the state of Spain's naval forces in the years following the defeat of the Great Armada in 1588 and during the seventeenth century. This was a period in which all of Europe's maritime powers were attaching increasing importance to naval warfare in their bid to topple Spain and to seize the rich pickings of her vast empire. The book is not, however, about naval battles and tactics. It is a study of the political, social, economic and technological conditions that influenced the character and performance of the Spanish navy. Based on hitherto untapped material in national and local Spanish archives, the book's findings throw new light on the conservation of Spain's timber resources, naval funding, recruitment and the status of the Spanish seaman.

Preface
Introduction: the rise and fall of Spanish naval power
Part I. Money and Materials: 1. Funding the fleets
2. Counting the trees: the conservation of Spain's forests
3. Shipbuilding
4. Preparing to sail
Part II. Personnel: 5. Officials of the quill
6. Counting the crews
7. Officers and men
Conclusion: towards an explanation
Appendices.

Subject Areas: Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700 [HBLH], European history [HBJD]