On Monday, 25th of April 1588, before the sun came up, a seven companies of soldiers, armed with arquesbus and muskets lined Lisbon’s squares. The companies were made up of the strongest and smartest, they had been taken from the ships on boats the night before. But they had been standing around for most of the night. Unless they differed from the other soldiers they were grumbling and stamping their boots on the pavement and asking each other why they were there.

Before six o’ clock they were called to attention, the palace gates opened and a noble procession emerged. At the head of the procession was, on horseback, the Cardinal Archduke, Viceroy in Portugal of King Philip of Spain. On his right hand rode the Duke of Medina Sedonia, Captain of the High Seas and commander-in-chief of the fleet. Behind them were commanders whose names that year, not only in Spanish history but in English history too: Juan Martinez de Recalde, a veteran of many fights at sea; Don Pedro and Don Diego de Valdes, both cousins, but bitter enemies. Don Miguel de Oquendo, another revered sea fighter; Don Alonzo de Leyva, a cavalry soldier of Milan, appointed by the king to take command if any misfortune befell the duke.