The Battle Between the Spanish Armada and the British Fleet in 1588 In the later part of the 16th century, Spain was the major international power and either ruled, colonized, or exercised influence over much of the known world. Spanish power was at it's height and Spain's leader, King Philip II, pledged to conquer the Protestant heretics in England that began as a result of the Reformation. Philip held personal hostility towards England's Queen Elizabeth I and was desirous of eliminating a major sea-going rival for economic reasons. Elizabeth encouraged Sir Francis Drake and other English