Clements R Markham

Sir Francis Vere: Elizabeth I's Greatest Soldier and the Eighty Years War Clements R Markham

The general who thwarted the Spanish invasion of the British Isles The final years of the 16th century saw an emergent Dutch nationalism and a determination by the Dutch to throw off the yoke of Spanish occupation in their homeland. The English queen, Elizabeth, was not only well aware of the dangers of the presence of a Catholic super-power so close to her nation's shores, but had every sympathy with the cause of her Protestant neighbours. English volunteers soon flocked to the continent with her blessings to fight the Spanish in the Low Countries. This book describes the conflict there in fascinating detail, but also focuses on the military career of the finest English soldier of that time. Sir Francis Vere campaigned and fought for decades in this epic struggle, demonstrating a strategic and tactical talent equal to that of the enduringly famous British commanders of later generations. Ultimately Vere commanded the English Auxiliary Army. Much of this history is devoted to the battles for Dutch Independence, but it also covers the extraordinary British seaborne raid on Cadiz and the action known as 'The Island Voyage'. This volume concludes with a short account of the military career of Horace Vere, Francis' brother, who fought in the same cause. Contains maps and illustrations not present in the original edition of the text which was published as, 'The Fighting Veres'.
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