In 1588, England stood on the edge of crisis. The Spanish Armada – a fleet of over 130 ships – was on its way, aiming to overthrow Queen Elizabeth I and restore Catholic rule. As panic spread across the country, towns and cities were drawn into a desperate national defence. Even far from the royal dockyards, places like King’s Lynn were called on to play their part.
Six of the One Hundred and Eighty
The English fleet was outnumbered and outgunned. There simply weren’t enough royal warships to confront the might of Spain alone. To fill the gap, merchant vessels were hastily converted for war. These local ports contributed ships and men to bolster the national fleet, provide logistical support, and help patrol the coastline against potential landings or raids.
From King’s Lynn, six ships joined the fight – just a handful among the 180-strong English fleet, yet each one played its part in one of the most pivotal moments in British naval history.
Note: Tonnage refers to cargo capacity, not weight. These were substantial ships for their time.
| Ship | Tonnage | Captain | Comments |
| Mary Jarman | 100 | Bailey | Ship returned home. 5 men received their pay. |
| William | 72 | Barthridge | Sailed in 1588 but was lost dring the Counter Strike/English Armada of 1589. The. Expedition was a fleet of warships sent to the Iberian Coast by Queen Elizabeth I in 1589, during the AngloSpanish War (1585 – 1604). It was led by Sir Francis Drake as admiral and Sir John Norreys. Four of the vessels in this list were also deployed in the Counter Strike, with only The William being lost in 1589. However, there is no documented evidence (to date) that the Mayflower (see below) served in 1589 as well as in 1588. |
| William & Joan | 130 | Kelly | Ship returned home. 4 men received their pay. |
| Antelope | 150 | Burwood | Ship returned home. 2 men received their pay. |
| Mayflower | 150 | Musgrave | Ship returned home. 2 men received their pay. The Mayflower and Musgrave served against the 1588 Armada. However, there is no documented evidence (to date) that the Mayflower also served in 1589. There is a record of Musgrave sailing another vessel out of Yarmouth in 1588. It is possible that it is the same captain in charge of two vessels – though the name may be a coincidence. |
| Gift | 100 | Unknown | Ship returned home. 2 men received their pay |
Captain Alexander Musgrave
Among the Lynn captains was Alexander Musgrave of King’s Lynn, who commanded the Mayflower. Though little survives about his personal story, his contribution is remembered: a plaque bearing his name can still be seen at 5 King Street. Musgrave received £100 for his efforts, equivalent to around £20,000 today. His ship, along with many others, helped turn the tide against one of the most formidable naval threats England ever faced.
© James Rye 2025
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Sources
- Sir Thomas Musgrave, 7th Baronet – Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Thomas_Musgrave,7th_Baronet
- List of ships of the English Armada – Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ships_of_the_English_Armada
- The history of Spanish Armada Ireland – https://spanisharmadaireland.com/the-history-of-spanish-armada-ireland/
- Notable People | Kings Lynn – https://kingslynn.u3asite.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/04notablepeopletrail2.pdf
- 5 King Street, King’s Lynn – plaque of Captain Alexander Musgrave – https://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/4619705290/
- Holekamp S. Personal correspondence