Describes the English defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 in the framework of European history. Also covers diplomacy, strategy, and politics.

Curtain raiser -- Simplicity of a city -- Perplexity of a queen -- The end of a gay season -- Plans of operations -- The bitter bread -- God's obvious design -- "The wind commands me away" -- A beard is singed -- "No matter of substance" -- Barrel staves and treasure -- An arm is cut off -- The happy day -- The uses of victory -- Ominous year -- The company of these noble ships -- "In the hope of a miracle" -- The day of the barricades, I -- The day of the barricades, II -- The invincible sets sail -- "The advantage of time and place" -- Entrance into the arena -- First blood -- "A terrible value of great shot" -- In formidable order -- The hellburners -- The order broken -- The tardy miracle -- "Myself your general" -- Drake is captured! -- The long road home -- End of a tall man -- The winds of God -- Not a whit dismayed.