Armada - History Lab

Corsican Patent granted by Charles III

ad_hlab_min — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:30:19 +0000

The privateering patent was a document issued by the authorities of a territory to the owners of a ship, giving them permission to attack ships or populations of enemy nations. In this way the owner, who had to have significant economic power to be able to arm a ship, became part of the navy of the issuing country or city. Privateer’s patents were widely used in the Modern Age when nations could not afford their own navies or when they were not large enough. Privateering was, therefore, a legal activity regulated by the Spanish authorities, which was organised on the basis of successive Royal Ordinances. Thanks to privateering, many private individuals made it their way of life, many others amassed fortunes and others carved out a career in the Royal Navy that would otherwise have been more difficult. During the modern period, privateers, always under the obligatory “privateering patent”, acted as a war fleet at the service of the Crown, and were also essential as coastguards, since, in certain territories, such as the Peninsula, it was materially impossible to have a Royal Navy squadron that could protect so many nautical miles of coastline, or that could guard all the maritime routes. The privateer would take advantage of all this, as he would obtain part of the booty, as would the Crown of Spain, which, without investing money, had a war fleet, also obtaining part of the booty.

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An 18th century ship of the line

ad_hlab_min — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:28:11 +0000

A 3-minute explanatory video in which we can see what ships of the line were like in the 18th century, through the representation of the HMS Victory, a British ship of the line. It was famous for taking part in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, as Admiral Horatio Nelson’s flagship.

The post An 18th century ship of the line first appeared on History Lab.

Blas de Lezo, the hero of Cartagena

ad_hlab_min — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:28:06 +0000

A 15-minute video about Blas de Lezo, a Spanish admiral known for the unique appearance of his numerous war wounds (one-eyed, one arm immobilised and one leg torn off), considered one of the best strategists in the history of the Spanish Navy and known for leading, together with Viceroy Sebastián de Eslava, the successful defence of Cartagena de Indias during the British siege of 1741.

The post Blas de Lezo, the hero of Cartagena first appeared on History Lab.

John of Austria, the hero of Lepanto

ad_hlab_min — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:28:06 +0000

This 12-minute video tells the story of John of Austria, illegitimate son of Charles V, who was a royal, military and diplomatic figure during the reign of his paternal brother, King Philip II.

The post John of Austria, the hero of Lepanto first appeared on History Lab.

Álvaro de Bazán, the “undefeated” and other heroes of the Empire

ad_hlab_min — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:28:06 +0000

54-minute video that takes us to the figure of Álvaro de Bazán y Guzmán (1526-1588), 1st Marquis of Santa Cruz, a 16th century Spanish military officer and admiral, famous for his use of galleons, for using for the first time marine infantry to carry out amphibious operations and for never having been defeated. Known as “the undefeated”. At the same time, it also shows other figures linked to the Spanish Monarchy’s navy

The post Álvaro de Bazán, the “undefeated” and other heroes of the Empire first appeared on History Lab.