Lord Howard's Commission as Admiral

21 December 1587

Elizabeth, by the grace of God, &c., to all to whom &c., greeting:

Know ye that we, reposing special trust and confidence in the fidelity, prudence, zeal, experience, circumspection, industry and diligence of our beloved Councillor, Charles, Lord Howard, Baron of Effingham, knight of our illustrious order of the Garter, High Admiral of England, Ireland, Wales, and of the dominions and islands thereof, of the town of Calais and the marches of the same, of Normandy, Gascony and Aquitaine, and Captain General of the Navy and mariners of our said kingdoms of England and Ireland-do, by these presents, assign, make, constitute, ordain, and depute the said Charles to be our lieutenant-general, commander-in-chief, and governor of our whole fleet and army at sea, now fitted forth against the Spaniards and their allies, adherents or abettors, attempting or compassing any design against our kingdoms, dominions and subjects; and also of all and singular our vice-admirals, captains, sub-captains and lieutenants, of our barons, lords and knights, of the masters of our ships, our mariners and men at arms, employed or to be employed, of our gunners, and of any others whatsoever, retained or to be retained in our royal fleet and army: Giving and granting to this same Charles full power and authority to lead and command all and singular our lieges and subjects of whatever estate, degree, or dignity they be in our said fleet or army, and in whatsoever way they have been or may be retained, or in whatever way they have been engaged in this present service for resisting and destroying the Spaniards and others, their allies, adherents, abettors or assistants, attempting or compassing any design against our kingdoms, dominions and subjects; as also-with our fleet and army aforesaid, and our subjects assembled or arrayed for war-according as there shall be occasion, and wherever and whenever he shall deem it fitting, to invade, enter, spoil and make himself master of the kingdoms, dominions, lands, islands and all other places whatever belonging to the said Spaniards and others, their allies, adherents or abettors, attempting or compassing any design against our kingdoms, dominions and subjects; and with force of arms to spoil, offend, repress, subdue and make war upon the Spaniards, their allies and adherents: And for the spoiling and utter subduing of these, whether by invasion, or in some other manner as heretofore set forth, to direct, rule, order and comand our said fleet, army and subjects; and if need be, to go and to sail with our said fleet, army and subjects, to our said kingdom of Ireland, or to any other place, according to his own will and pleasure: Giving and granting to the same Charles full power and authority to muster, direct, lead, order and command all and singular our vice-admirals, captains, sub-captains, lieutenants, barons, lords, knights, masters of ships, mariners and gunners, and all others soever in our aforesaid fleet and army, which are armed in our service or appointed thereto: and also to hear, examine, discuss, order and determine all suits, causes, quarrels and other matters of all and each of them, so far as they pertain, either by right or by custom, to the office of our said lieutenant-general at sea: Also to make, constitute and ordain laws and ordinances for the effective good conduct of our said fleet and army; and furthermore, to make proclamations and enforce the due execution thereof; and to punish, repress, reform and incarcerate any belonging to our said fleet and army who shall, in any manner, offend; and if it shall seem meet to him, to pardon, release, dismiss and deliver those incarcerated: further, to enquire into, examine, hear and judge all capital or criminal charges relating to loss of life or limb, and cases of murder in any manner occurring in our said fleet and army, with all matters connected therewith or rising out of the same; and also to determine, pass or publish sentences or decrees of whatsoever nature, regarding the same; and to command and order, and cause such sentences or decrees to be fully and effectively executed; and according to his own will and pleasure, freely to do, ordain, forward, decree and execute all other things needful for the good conduct and government of our said fleet and army, as in his wise discretion they shall from time to time seem fitting, and with full power of coercion: And also with power and authority, as often as it seemeth to him fitting or necessary, to nominate, ordain, make, constitute, assign, and appoint other deputy-leiutenant or deputy-lieutenants to execute, perform, forward or carry out, in our stead and in our name, the aforesaid services or any of them; and to recall him or them if the case should require it, and to order and appoint other or others in his or their place, for the services aforesaid, or any part of them.

Moreover, by these presents, we strictly command and enjoin all and each of the vice-admirals, captains, sub-captains, lieutenants, barons, lords, knights, masters of ships, mariners, gunners, and all others soever in our said fleet and army, in whatever manner they have been levied, retained or may be retained, that as need shall be, from time to time, they shall be attendant, counselling, helping and at the commandment of the said Charles, our High Admiral and Lieutenant General at sea, in the execution of the aforesaid services, as they shall answer for it at their peril.

In witness whereof &c. at Westminster, the 21st day of December. Per ipsam Reginam.

John Knox Laughton, ed. The Defeat of the Spanish Armada. (New York: 1894), I:19-23.