The Last Armada

November 9, 2015
In 1601, 13 years after the failure of the Great Armada’s attempt to invade the British Isles, the Spanish tried again, this time through Ireland. Irish journalist Ekin (The Stolen Village) effectively brings to life this fateful but largely forgotten second effort to claim England for Catholicism and the Spanish Hapsburgs. It’s a detailed narrative filled with heroism, treachery, dynastic politics, and adultery—the makings of a soap opera, except that all of it actually happened. Ekin wrings nearly everything he can from various archives; when details threaten to overwhelm the narrative, the voices of the participants—whether monarchs or lowly soldiers—revive the reader from fatigue. Where the archives are silent, Ekin offers prudent judgments about what might have occurred while reporting fairly on earlier participants’ and historians’ differing conclusions. And if Ekin sometimes goes a bit far, arguing, for example, that the 1601 siege of Kinsale “altered the balance of world power and changed history,” he’s no doubt correct that it deeply and permanently divided Ireland in ways that still endure. Ekin’s work is a nice contribution to the historical literature, and one very well told. Illus. Agent: Pamela Malpas, Harold Ober Associates.

Starred review from October 1, 2015
Journalist Ekin (The Stolen Village: Baltimore and the Barbary Pirates, 2006, etc.) chronicles the 1601 siege of Kinsale, 100 days that changed history. The author's gift for deep, comprehensive historical study and his ability to keep characters fresh in readers' minds bring this battle between Spain's best general and Queen Elizabeth's favorite, Charles Blount, to the awareness it has been denied. Ekin succeeds in uncovering the truth about Irish perfidy, the lack of Spanish support, and the English attempt to control Ireland. King Felipe III (Philip to the English) wanted to control the English accession upon the death of Elizabeth. He hoped to establish the Spanish in Ireland, ready to invade with the help of the Catholic lords. Even with all his wealth from American silver, Felipe was broke, thus leaving his invasion armada poorly equipped. When Juan del Aguila landed on the south coast, a result of adverse winds, Kinsale capitulated immediately. He expected insurgent leaders, the Earl of Desmond and Florence MacCarthy, to link up and provide food, men, and horses, followed by the northern lords Hugh O'Neill and Red Hugh O'Donnell. Unfortunately, the first two were prisoners in the Tower of London thanks to a spy in their midst, and the northerners took months to arrive. Del Aguila was one of Spain's finest fighters, and, facing a lack of support from his country, a couple of clerics trying to run the show, and a better-manned enemy, he almost pulled it off. The author explains the terrain, battles, siege construction, and weaponry well enough to please any military historian, but the real prizes here are the author's discussions of the effect of the battle on Spain as its empire died and England's colonies grew, the end of Spain's religious wars, the shift of power in England, and the cataclysm as Gaelic Ireland declined and died. A fantastic book that finally assigns Kinsale its rightful place in history.

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November 1, 2015

During the 1500s, Catholic Spain reached the apogee of its power, ruling a global empire and fielding the finest armies in the world. But while Spain's arm was long, its grasp was weak. In 1601, the Spanish sought to wrest Ireland from Protestant England's colonial rule, landing 4,000 infantry at the southern port town of Kinsale. Commanded by grizzled veteran Juan del Aguila, the Spanish planned to link up with Irish rebels under the canny Hugh O'Neill but instead found themselves besieged by English general Charles Blount. Dublin-based journalist Ekin (The Stolen Village) narrates the ensuing saga of bloodshed, heroism, and betrayal. Ekin delivers a balanced account critical of English atrocities and Spanish follies but also of Irish inefficiency and ambivalence, challenging the narratives of Irish patriotic historians who are critical of Aguila's handling of the last Spanish expedition to attack Britain or Ireland. VERDICT Entertaining, chatty, and superbly researched, replete with fascinating anecdotes and tragicomic relief, this is popular history at its finest. It is sure to appeal to aficionados of Irish and military history. Fans of Arturo Perez-Reverte's Captain Alatriste adventures will delight in seeing real-life counterparts in action at the Siege of Kinsale.--Michael Rodriguez, Hodges Univ. Lib., Naples, FL

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