Hidden treasury

Archaeology shock: ‘Treasure trove of gold’ from Spanish Armada found intact revealed

The Spanish Armada was a fleet of 130 ships that sailed from Corunna in late May 1588, under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia, with the purpose of escorting an army from Flanders to invade England. The aim was to overthrow Queen Elizabeth I and her establishment of Protestantism in England, to stop English interference in the Spanish Netherlands and to stop the harm caused by English and Dutch privateering ships that interfered with Spanish interests in the Americas. English ships sailed from Plymouth to attack the Armada and were faster and more manoeuvrable than the larger Spanish galleons, enabling them to fire on the Armada without loss as it sailed east off the south coast of England.

Following a bloody battle, the Armada, driven by southwest winds, withdrew north, in a bid to return to Spain around the north of Scotland and south around Ireland, but was disrupted further by storms.

Dr Sam Willis revealed during the BBC’s “Britain's Sunken History” how many ships were wrecked on the coasts of Scotland and Ireland, including the Girona.

He said in 2013: “The Spanish commander took a fateful decision, to retreat from the English Navy, and head up the North Sea towards Scotland.

“As the Spanish fleet edged northwards, the weather began to close in, a natural defence of gale-force winds, huge breaking waves and a deluge of freezing rains dashed any last hope they had to land their forces.