Anglo-Spanish Escalation and the Fall of Antwerp

Background. The Eighty Years' War was an armed conflict in the Habsburg Netherlands between rebels and the Spanish government. After initial stages, Philip II deployed armies to regain control over rebel-held territories. The Duke of Parma, Governor of the Spanish Netherlands, achieved steady military successes, leading to the surrender of a series of Dutch towns.

Siege of Antwerp. Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma, began preparations to besiege Antwerp in mid-June 1584. The siege lasted over a year, concluding on 17 August 1585 when the city surrendered to Spanish forces. Under the terms of surrender, Protestants were given four years to settle their affairs and leave the city.

Treaty of Nonsuch. The fall of Antwerp necessitated a reaction from England and the Dutch. On 10 August 1585, Elizabeth I signed the Treaty of Nonsuch with the Dutch rebels, promising military support. Philip II viewed this treaty as a declaration of war, and the Anglo-Spanish War is conventionally considered to have begun at this point.