[78]So the _Spanish_ Fleet sailed forward, [Sidenote: PLATE 8.]this and the best part of the next Day, with a gentle Gale at South-West and by South, the _English_ following them close, and driving them like Sheep before them; and so far was this Invincible Armada from alarming the Sea-Coasts with any frightful Apprehensions, that a great many of the young Nobility and Gentry entered themselves Volunteers, and taking leave of their Parents, Wives, and Children, did, with incredible Chearfulness, hire Ships at their own Charge; and, in pure Love to their Country, joined the Grand Fleet in vast numbers: [79]Among which were, the Earls of _Oxford_, _Northumberland_, and _Cumberland_; the Lord _Dudley_; Sir _Thomas_, Sir _Robert_, and _William Cecil_; Sir _Henry Brooke_, Sir _William Hatton_, Sir _Charles Blount_, Sir _Walter Raleigh_, Sir _Robert Carey_, Sir _Ambrose Willoughby_, Sir _Thomas Vavasor_, Sir _Horatio Pallavicini_; _Thomas Gerard_, _Henry Nowel_, _Edward Darcy_, _Thomas Woodhouse_, _William Harvey_, _Arthur Gorges_, and others; [80]and at the same time, the Justices of Peace in the maritime Counties, as also the Earl of _Sussex_, Sir _George Carey_, and the Captains of the Forts and Castles along the Sea-Coasts, sent Ships, Men, Powder, Shot, Victuals, and all kinds of Provisions, for the Relief and Assistance of the main Fleet. [81]_July 27._ This Day, towards the Evening, the _Spanish_ Fleet came to an Anchor before _Calais_; [82]intending for _Dunkirk_, where they were to join the Prince of _Parma_’s Forces; [83]but their Pilots having told them, that, if they ventured any farther, they should be in danger of being carried away by the Force of the Tide into the Northern Channel, for that Reason they proceeded no farther than _Calais_; the _English_, on their part, followed them close, and anchored within Culverin-Shot of them; and, by the accession of the Ships under the Lord _Henry Seymour_ and Sir _William Winter_, consisted now of a hundred and forty Sail, all stout Ships, and nimble and good Sailors; tho’ the main Brunt of the Engagement lay but upon fifteen or sixteen of them.