Leicester’s jealous and overbearing temper itself was also proving a formidable obstacle to a wholesome system of defence.  He was already displeased with the amount of authority entrusted to Lord Hunsdon, disposed to think his own rights invaded; and desirous that the Lord Chamberlain should accept office under himself.  He wished saving clauses as to his own authority inserted in Hunsdon’s patent.  “Either it must be so, or I shall have wrong,” said he, “if he absolutely command where my patent doth give me power.  You may easily conceive what absurd dealings are likely to fall out, if you allow two absolute commanders.”

Looking at these pictures of commander-in-chief, officers, and rank and file—­as painted by themselves—­we feel an inexpressible satisfaction that in this great crisis of England’s destiny, there were such men as Howard, Drake, Frobisher, Hawkins, Seymour, Winter, Fenner, and their gallant brethren, cruising that week in the Channel, and that Nassau and Warmond; De Moor and Van der Does, were blockading the Flemish coast.

There was but little preparation to resist the enemy once landed.  There were no fortresses, no regular army, no population trained to any weapon.  There were patriotism, loyalty, courage, and enthusiasm, in abundance; but the commander-in-chief was a queen’s favourite, odious to the people, with very moderate abilities, and eternally quarrelling with officers more competent than himself; and all the arrangements were so hopelessly behind-hand, that although great disasters might have been avenged, they could scarcely have been avoided.

Remembering that the Invincible Armada was lying in Calais roads on the 6th of August, hoping to cross to Dover the next morning, let us ponder the words addressed on that very day to Queen Elizabeth by the Lieutenant-General of England.

“My most dear and gracious Lady,” said the Earl, “it is most true that those enemies that approach your kingdom and person are your undeserved foes, and being so, and hating you for a righteous cause, there is the less fear to be had of their malice or their forces; for there is a most just God that beholdeth the innocence of that heart.  The cause you are assailed for is His and His Church’s, and He never failed any that faithfully do put their chief trust in His goodness.  He hath, to comfort you withal, given you great and mighty means to defend yourself, which means I doubt not but your Majesty will timely and princely use them, and your good God that ruleth all will assist you and bless you with victory.”

He then proceeded to give his opinion on two points concerning which the Queen had just consulted him—­the propriety of assembling her army, and her desire to place herself at the head of it in person.