In short therefore, the Aim and Design of the King of _Spain_ in this great Expedition, was to conquer _England_, in order to come more easily at the revolted _Netherlands_, and facilitate their Reduction to his Obedience; as also, for the Sake of so meritorious an Action, as the bringing this Island back to the Catholick Religion: And to be revenged, at the same Time, for the Disgrace, Contempt, and Dishonour, he had, at several Times, received from the _English_ Nation; and for divers others real or pretended Injuries, which had made a deep Impression on his proud and revengeful Spirit. Animated and spurred on by these Motives, King _Philip_ made such vast Preparations for his intended Conquest, as had hardily ever been known before in any Age, or Nation: Whether we consider the Time spent about them; or the prodigious Strength and Quantity of the Materials of all Kinds that were provided. As for the Time spent about these Preparations; King _Philip_ seems to have form’d this Design as early as the Year 1583. [4]For, in that Year, he ordered _Alexander_ Duke of _Parma_, Governor of the _Low-Countries_, to procure an exact Account and Description of the Harbours, Castles, Rivers, and Roads belonging to _England_, and transmit them to him; which was accordingly done: And in this _Francis Throckmorton_ appears to have been concerned. But, according to _Rapin_, [5]this Project was formed by _Philip_ only from the Time _Mary_ Queen of _Scots_ had been persuaded to convey to him her Right to _England_, as being the only Means to restore the _Catholick_ Religion[6]: According to the received Maxim in the Church of _Rome_, That an Heretick is unworthy and incapable of enjoying a Crown; _Philip_ thought he might justly claim that of _England_, as being the next _Catholick_ Prince descended from the House of _Lancaster_; namely, from _Catharine_ Daughter of _John_ of _Ghent_ Duke of _Lancaster_, married in 1389 to _Henry_, then Prince, and afterwards King, of _Castile_. Upon this Descent therefore, and the Queen of _Scots_ Conveyance and Will, he had projected the Conquest of _England_. However it be, or whenever these Preparations were begun, it is certain that King _Philip_ assembled so powerful a Fleet, and so well furnished with all kinds of Provisions and Ammunition, that, thinking it unconquerable by human Power, he gave it the Title of the INVINCIBLE ARMADA.