Description:Sir John Leveson’s papers include a great deal of official correspondence written to the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, William, Lord Cobham. This letter dated 2nd April 1588 addressed to Cobham from the Privy Council reflects the atmosphere of urgency surrounding the threat of Spanish invasion.
The letter tells Cobham that
‘the Queenes Majestie is dailie given to understande of the continuaunce of the great preparaunce of the King of Spaine, which are thought to be intended towardes these partes, her Highnesse beinge desyrous to understand the generall estate of the forces of the Whole Realm.’
The document informs Cobham about the imminent threat of Spain to England and tells us about the military preparations which were made to defend the nation against attack during this period. The Privy Council write that they ‘earnestlie require’ Cobham
‘withall the speede that possibly maie be to cause a view of all the horsemen and trained men of your Counties under your Lord Lieutenauncie to be made so as the Bandes maie be compleat and severallie trained with as much ease of the conntrie as maie be…so as the same maie be in a readinesse, to be imploied as occasione shall require.’
The document indicates that troops were being gathered and trained from all over England to defend against Spanish attacks.