perceives that the leading idea of the expedition vas that if the ]English fleet shotrid follow Medina Sidonia, it was to be dispersed, so that, the Channel being cleared, lVarma could cross it. If the English fleet should not appear, or if it should appear and be decisively defeated, the minor details of subsequent operations would present no difficulties, provided that a secure harbour or anchorage cotrid be found for the Armada, and theft Parm should have ft;vourable weather for his p;;ssage. The actions fought before the arrival of the Armada off Calais impeqlled the caa'ying out of the leading idea. It is not astonishing that the scheme of minor details, vague as it was even before the first action, became afterwtrds hopelessly confused.

So much for the general plan of operations. The preparations in Sprain may now be rettu'ned to. And, first of all, Medina Sidonia's general orders to his fleet demand attention. They laid stress upon the religious aspect of the expedition. The people

vere to understand that they were participating in crusade.

Their behaviotu' must be worthy of their holy aims.

All, high and low, must realise, ;bove all things, that the king undertook the expedition mainly for the service of God, and for the leading back to the bosom of the Church of sotds subjected to the enemies of the Holy Catholic faith. :Lest they should forget these aims, the people, before proceeding on board, were to humbly confess, and to receive the Sacrament. ]No one in the fleet, on pain of severe punishment, was to "idly make use of the name of our :Lord, or of our :Lady, or of the Saints." Even less sinful exclamations ;vere to be punished, appt;rently by stoppage of the offender's ration of wine. As men swear most lightly while at pl;ty, certain games were to be forbidden, and others were to be played as little as possible. In no case was play by night to be permitted.

During the entire dtn'ation of the expedition, and for a month afterwtrds, all contentious questions, challenges, and so on, were, upon pain of death, to be referred to 5Iedim Sidonia. This ale applied to all, great as well as small. :Loose women were not to be suffered on board the ships. a Every morning ;t sunrise,

Duro, doc. 99.

a But the'e we'e some women with the Armada. A lady and child'en we'e with Oquendo's secnd in comlnand: Dut'o, doc. 171, p. 281; and "la urea de las llltljeres" is

nentioned: Duro, doc. 137, p. 164.