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 more probably due to the fact that it was St. Dominic's Day, and that Medina Sidonia had specially devoted himself to that saint, in whose honour the Armada had from early morning been dressed with flags.

The official English story in 'A Relation of Proceedings,' is continued as follows: —

"On Saturday [July 27th], in the evening, the Spanish fleet came near unto Calais on the coast of Picardy, and there suddenly came to an anchor over against, betwixt Calais and Calais Cliffs; and our English fleet anchored short of them, within culverin shot of the enemy.

"The Spaniards sent notice of their arrival presently unto the Duke of Parma, but, because there should be no time detracted to permit their forces to join, the lord admiral, the 28th of July, 1588, about midnight, caused eight ships to be fired and let drive amongst the Spanish fleet; whereupon they were forced to slip or cut cables at half and to set sail. By reason of which fire the chief galleass came foul of another ship's cable and brake her rudder, by means whereof he was forced the next day to row ashore near the haven's mouth and town of Calais; whereupon the lord admiral sent his long boat, under the charge of Amyas Preston, gentleman, his lieutenant, and with him Mr. Thomas Gerard and Mr. [William] Harvey, together with other gentlemen, his lordship's followers and servants, who took her and had the spoil of her. There entered into her above one hundred Englishmen. And for that she was aground and sewed two foot, and could not be gotten off, they left her to Monsr. Gourdan, Captain of Calais, where she lietlh sunk.

"Now that the Lord Henry Seymour and Sir William Wynter were joined with us, our fleet was near about one hundred and forty sail, of ships, barks and pinnaces, etc. During the time that this galleass was in taking by the lord admiral, Sir Francis