The king could spare Parma but little money for the pay of his troops, and his orders were that the Spanish forces in the Netherlands should be held in reserve and readiness for embarkation, as soon as the Great Armada should hold command of the Channel.

England was the first objective.

When its conquest was accomplished that of the rebel provinces would speedily follow.

On the other hand Elizabeth, always niggardly, was little disposed in face of the threatened danger to dissipate her resources by any needless expenditure.

Leicester therefore found himself at the head of far too small a force to deal any effective blows at the enemy.