In the summer of 1588, Tudor England is readying itself for an invasion by a large Spanish fleet sent to overthrow Queen Elizabeth I and take over the land. Acclaimed historian Dan Snow chronicles the early days of this epic naval conflict. Newly discovered documents take us right inside the Spanish Armada and reveal a missed opportunity that could have spelled the end of England as we know it.

It's August 1588 and the warships of Spain and England near each other in the English Channel. Using newly discovered documents, historian Dan Snow describes the different approaches, and ship design, of the two nations that changed the outcome of the ensuing battles at sea. He also goes behind the scenes in the royal court of Elizabeth and investigates the intrigues that hampered the conflict.

A huge Spanish naval and ground force is gathered in France, ready to invade and defeat England. But, as historian Dan Snow discovers, the invasion never took place. So what went wrong? Newly discovered documents reveal a web of misunderstandings that stopped the Spanish from attacking. One small mistake prevented a brutal conflict that could have changed the history of England forever.