Armada Guns

Michael Arthur Lewis (1890-1970) read history at Trinity College, Cambridge, followed by a year at Grenoble University (and would have played in the French national rugby team had the authorities not discovered that he was British). His subsequent academic career was spent wholly in naval education, teaching at the Royal Naval College Osborne (1913-20, serving as lieutenant in the Royal Marine Artillery in World War I), at the Royal Naval College Dartmouth (1920-34) and finally as Professor of History and English at the Royal Naval College Greenwich (1934-55). A fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, he was active in the Navy Records Society (vice-president) and the Society for Nautical Research (president). In 1952-3 he introduced all 26 episodes of the American documentary series Victory at Sea on BBC television, earning the public soubriquet of ‘the TV Prof’. He authored or edited 22 books: two of light verse, six thrillers (‘clutch and throttle’ as he called them), thirteen on naval history, and one on genealogical gleanings from his own family tree. He retired in 1955, having been awarded a CBE for services to naval education.

Reviews of Armada Guns: ‘Exceptionally important book with reference to the Spanish Armada, the author made his case, which altered the historical view of what really happened, and which has stood the test of time ever since.’ Akorps, via Amazon, 2021‘Best available book on the subject.’ P. T. Francis, via Amazon, 2012

• Introduction. 1. Classification 2. The Guns of the Queen’s Ships, 1569–1599 3. The Guns of the Queen’s Ships in 1588 4. The Guns of the Auxiliary English Fleet in 1588 5. The Guns of the Spanish Fleet in 1588 6. Comparisons A: Natures and Numbers of Guns B. Ammunition 1. Powder 2. Round-Shot 7. The Lessons of the Armada Fight. Appendices: 1. The English, Spanish and Italian Pounds in 1588 2. The Musket in 1588 3. The Missing Guns of the N.S. Del Rosario and the San Salvador.