ABSTRACT
He probably first served at sea in the reign of Queen Mary, but by virtue of his rank he was prominent at court from the start of Elizabeth’s reign. His first appointment in command at sea was in 1570, and he was appointed Lord Admiral of England in 1585. He was specifically appointed C-in-C of the ‘navy and army prepared to the seas against Spain’ in December 1587 with his flag in the Ark Raleigh (otherwise Ark Royal). In the preparations against Spain he consulted his council of war (the Naval Staff of the day), in which the counsels of DRAKE and HAWKINS were prominent.
