Confession of Gregorio de Sotomayor
1588
The voluntary confession of Gregorio de Sotomayor, written under his own hand in the Portingal tongue, and translated verbatim.
To the 1st, that I am called Gregory de Sotomayor; and my brother's name, Stephen de Sotomayor, naturals of the town of Melgaco, in the kingdom of Portugal. My father's name was Goncalo de Sotomayor, and my mother was called Lady Mary de Orasto. Trade or occupation, we have none; but do live by our goods and rents.
To the 2nd, where the soldiers were levied? I answer that at the time when they were prepared, I was at mine own house, which is 70 leagues from Lisbon, so that I knew not from whence nor where they were provided. In the kingdom of Portugal there was no preparation of men; but when they embarked themselves, the commanded 2,000 Portingals to go aboard upon pain of death.
The the 3rd, I answer that we set sail out of Lisbon the 28th of May, being in all 130 ships; and that there was in them 35,000 men in all, whereof 20,000 were fighting soldiers. We came to the Groyne, but what time I remember not. There we took in fresh victuals, as beef, water, fish, oils, and vinegar; from thence we set sail for this coast, to have joined with the Duke of Parma.
To the 4th, I say it was muttered among the soldiers that, joining with the Duke of Parma, they would divide their people into two parts; and that the one part should have come directly for London, and for the other, there was no speech whither they should go.
To the 5th, I say the common report was that in the realm there would rise great store of people in the favour of the King of Spain, but especially in this city of London; and the report was there should be in all 15,000 men.
To the 6th, concerning what treasure there was in the fleet, I say there was great stores of money and plate which came in the galleon wherein the Duke de Medina was, and in the ship of Don Pedro de Valdes which was taken, and in the admiral of the galleasses, and in the galley royal, and in the vice-admiral wherein was general John Martinez de Recalde, and in the vice-admiral whereof was general Diego Flores, and in the vice-admiral of the pinnaces, and in the vice-admiral of the hulks, and in a Venetian ship in whom came for general Don Alonso de Leyva. The report goeth tht this ship brought great store, for that there came in her the Prince of Ascoli, and many other noblemen. This is all I know touching the treasure.
To the 7th, whether I know of any traitors? I say I do not know any, but would be glad to have known them, for to have given her Majesty understanding of them, as a good Portingal. And for the 30 ships which the report goeth are to come with succour for this fleet, it is said they bring great stores of treasure. This is all that I know as well of the interrogatories as otherwise, which I ratify with that which heretofore being examined I have said; and would be glad that I knew more, both for the service of her Majesty and preservation of this kingdom.
I declare further that King Philip did command that the fleet should be victualled for 6 months, but Luis Hezar and Francisco Duarte of Cadiz did victual them but for 4 months, and with that which was nought and rotten. For which occasion the King commanded them to be apprehended; and so they remained prisoners in Portugal at our coming away. And this is the very truth.
John Knox Laughton, ed. The Defeat of the Spanish Armada. (New York:1894). II:22-24.