England was an open land. The harbours were many and safe. It abounded with cattle and all sorts of provisions to be had for the taking. Its cities were ungarrisoned and practically unfortified. Not one could stand a three-day siege. Its people were unaccustomed to war, no match for the Spanish veterans. But more important still, two-thirds of them were Catholics or secret sympathizers with the Catholic cause.

Garrett Mattingly, The Defeat of the Spanish A…, loc. 142