At Santa Cruz’s death the Armada was still hopelessly unready. Guns, ammunition, food--everything was wanting. The men were unpaid, ragged, and often dying of hunger. According to feudal notions, the command of so great an expedition must be given to a great prince, and a harmless Spanish grandee, Alonso Perez de Guzman, Duke of Medina Sidonia, was appointed nominal General. The fleet was slowly patched into an appearance of efficiency, but it could not sail until the middle of May, 1588. To strengthen it nearly all the galleons of the Indian Guard were added to it, leaving the Atlantic trade route almost unprotected. [Illustration: _A. Rischgitz._ ADMIRAL PERO MENENDEZ DE AVILES (1523-1574). Now regarded as the greatest of the Spanish oceanic Admirals. A grim fanatic in religion, he was frequently guilty of acts of gross cruelty. He died while preparing to lead a great fleet against England.] Meanwhile in England, on December 21, 1587, Lord Howard of Effingham, Lord High Admiral, had received his commission as Commander-in-Chief at sea. His official rank was rather civil than naval, and he was placed in chief command for much the same reason as Medina Sidonia had been. He was, however, greatly superior to the Spaniard in moral qualities, and, though somewhat lacking in firmness of character, was always ready to yield to the advice of the experienced seamen with whom the navy swarmed. Drake, the guiding spirit of the resistance, was given the command of an independent squadron at Plymouth. When the news of Santa Cruz’s death came in February, there appeared to be some chance of peace, and commissioners from the contending Powers met at Flushing. Howard’s fleet was partly demobilized, but he himself, with a picked force, was ordered to make a demonstration off Flushing. In March, however, news came that the Armada would sail on the 20th, and the whole Navy was mobilized. Drake himself was full of contempt for the Spanish sea-power, and endeavoured to induce the Government to allow him to attack the Armada in port. After repeated representations, he triumphed. Lord Howard was ordered to leave a force to watch Parma, who was making a precedent for Napoleon in 1804, by building a flotilla for the transport of his army, and to join Drake with the bulk of his fleet. This practically amounted to giving Drake the command of the English Navy. With Howard present he was nominally only second, but there is ample evidence that he was the real chief. Abroad Howard’s name was hardly mentioned. Drake was recognized as the English leader by everybody, from the Pope downwards. [Illustration: IRON CANNON OF THE ARMADA PERIOD. 9 feet 6 inches long; calibre, 7 inches; weight, 59 cwt. 11·1 lbs. It bears the Tudor Rose and Crown on the second reinforce. Girth of breech end, 5 feet 9½ inches. (_From the Museum of Artillery, Woolwich._)]