Newfoundland expedition (1585)

Newfoundland Expedition (1585)
Part of the Anglo–Spanish War
A 1563 map of the North Atlantic with Newfoundland top center
Date July to 10 October 1585 Location Grand Banks of Newfoundland, Atlantic Ocean Result English victory[1][2][3]
Belligerents
Spain Portugal	England
Commanders and leaders
Unknown	Bernard Drake
Strength
Numerous Spanish & Portuguese ships[4]	10 ships
Casualties and losses
23 ships captured, burned, or sunk[4] ~600 prisoners[5]	Light

The Newfoundland Expedition also known as Bernard Drake's Newfoundland Expedition was an English naval expedition that took place during the beginning of the declared Anglo-Spanish War in the North Atlantic during summer and autumn of 1585.^[6] The area of conflict was situated mainly in an area known as the Grand Banks off present day Newfoundland.^[7] The aim of the expedition was to capture the Spanish and Portuguese fishing fleets.^[8] The expedition was a huge military and financial success and virtually removed the Spanish and Portuguese from these waters.^[9] In addition the raid had large consequences in terms of English colonial expansion and settlement.^[4][10]