Philip's preparations were not ignored in England, nor was there any misapprehension concerning their aims and objects. 5Valsyngham, always well-informed, h;;d priv;tte intelligence from 5Iadrid to the effect that the King of ,qpain had writteu to the Pope, advising him of the projected invasion of Elizabeth's dominions, and

sking for the I)ap;;l blessing upon the undert;;king. And not only

the intentions of the Spaniards, but ;;lso the whereabouts atd extent of their ever-growing arm;;mcnts were nmtters of common know- ledge among English naval officers, who, although there was then not even ;u elnbryo iNawzl Intelligence l)cpartment, m;;de up in individu;tl zeal, keenness, observ;;tion, and intelligence for wh;;t they lacked in corporate organis;;tion. It was therefore determined, early in 1587, to attempt a blow at the Spani;u'ds while they were still in their ports and busy with their tincompleted prep;;rtttions; and Sir Fr;mcis Drake was chosen to lead a naval expedition for the purpose. The squadron entrusted to him was not a powerful one. Strype says that it included forty s;;il: H;kluyt and SIonsou put the number at only thirty. ]3ut ne;;rly all these were hired merchant- men, not to be comp;;red, either force for force, or in general efficiency, with regular w;;r ships. Only four l;u'ge vessels and two small pinnaces seem to have belonged to the Navy lqoy;;l. Drake hoisted his fi;;g in the Elizabeth Bonavctture, of 600 tons, 250 men, and 47 guns. William Borough, a distinguished navigator and hydrographer, but no warrior, either by iclin;;tion or experience, was second in command, and sailed in the Lion, or, as she was commonly called, the Goldetz Lion, of 500 tons, 250 men, and 38 guns. C;;ptain Henry ]3cllingham colnmaudcd the 13ainbow, of 500 tons, 250 men, and 54 guns; and Captain Thomas Fenner, a most excellent officer, h;;d command of the Dreadnought, of 400 tons, 190 men, and 32 guns. These ships, and the majority of their officers and men, undoubtedly formed the backbone of the expedi- tionary force. Borough, however, contributed little to the end in view. The temerity of Drake's projects ftqghtcned him and, h;;ving been put under arrest, he fled home with his vessel, professing to go in fear of his life. In a rambling letter to I3m'ghley, d;;ted from the lVhite ear, off Queenborough, on Fcbru;ry 21st following, he pleaded that he had received "'eat discontent .... through Sir Francis Drake's injurious, ungodly, and extreme dealings, which are

] ,':,. I'. Dt,m. ccviii. 77.