Pertanyaan

The question is based on the following text. In May 1588 Spain was the most powerful country in the world. King Philip II of Spain was determined to conquer England and become its King. He ordered a large number of ships to be prepared to set sail and invade England. At first Queen Elizabeth I ignored the rumours of a Spanish invasion, but soon she came to realise the great danger the country was in and she made sure that England would be prepared for a battle. Eventually the Spanish were ready and over 100 ships set sail towards the English Channel. As soon as the Spanish ships were seen from the English coast, fires were lit on the hills as a signal that the invasion was coming. When the Spanish ships got close enough the English navy closed in and a great sea battle began. Once the battle began, it was obvious to the Spanish that they would be defeated. Not only did the English sailors have stronger and more powerful ships, they also made terrifying use of fire ships – boats that were deliberately set ablaze and then sent in amongst the Spanish fleet. At last the battle was over. A few Spanish ships escaped and eventually reached home, but many were sunk and to this day some of their wrecks still lie on the seabed in the English Channel. What was the initial reaction of Queen Elizabeth to the rumours of Spanish invasion?