A distinguished group of specialists examine afresh issues of particular concern to historians of the Spanish Armada. In particular they look at the contemporary Spanish view of Philip II's imperialism (Watson); at the compositionand equipping of the fleet (Martin, Thompson, O'Donnell); at the unpredictable influence of outside agents, notably the Dutch fleet and the appalling weather of 1588 and its consequences (Schokkenbroek, Daultrey, Hogueras and SanPio); and at the reflection of the Armada in the myths and literature of the time (Fernandez-Armesto, Calvar, the editors). The editors also translate and annotate de Cuéllar's remarkable first-hand account of sailing with the Armada.