The Spanish Armada, again

Gardiner's treatment of the Armada is too brief to be called dry, but it doesn't give an idea of the effect the victory had on Englishmen. For that, I can't think of a better source that the reminiscences of Captain John Smith (yes, the same that will colonize Virginia in 20 years' time.) The following is from The Adventures and Discourses of Captain John Smith, sometime President of Virginia and Admiral of New England, Newly Ordered by John Ashton:

I was born in the year 1579; that year when Jack Spaniard invaded Ireland, bringing with him a holy banner blessed by the Pope. Much blood and time it took before the rebellion was put down, and the Dons were all either killed, or put in ward. But the work was done thoroughly, and with a good heart, so that none, methinks, ever went back home to tell the tale. Ha! but we paid them out well, and made them dance a Coranto to a pretty tune when they tried the same sport, on a larger scale, with their Invincible Armada. Invincible, quatha! my Lord Howard and his old sea-dogs found joints enow in their harness, I trow; and Ireland proved even more unkind to them than before, for seventeen of their ships were taken or destroyed, and much over 5,000 men were killed or taken prisoners on that coast which, I warrant me, they love not now.

I mind the time well, though I was but a youngster of nine years old, for the whole land was drunk with joy, and of course my native village must be a piece with the rest of the world. My Lord Willoughby did give two great oxen to be roasted, and also good strong October; both of which were given without stint to all comers. Ay and he provided also a bull to be baited, which was the first I had ever seen of that rare sport. I remember it so well, more by token that our dog Tyke must needs be very valiant and join in the fray, but he limped on three legs ever after, and it had nigh cost him his life but for the great care and good nursing he received.

There was dancing round the May-pole, too, and it would have been kept up till night, but old Jack the crowder [fiddler] got overcome early in the afternoon with too much October, which he kept pouring down to make his arm lissome, for he said it ached with constant work; so many of us betook ourselves to Alford, to see the two Frenchmen with their bear and monkey.