What happened to the Spanish Armada during its confrontation with Elizabeth I's forces?

The Spanish Armada faced significant challenges during its confrontation with Elizabeth I's forces in 1588. While the initial goal of the Armada was to invade England and overthrow Elizabeth I, a combination of strategic naval tactics employed by the English fleet, such as nimble ships and effective use of smaller vessels, led to significant victories against the larger but slower Spanish ships.

After engaging with the English navy, the Armada was forced to retreat. The situation was made worse by adverse weather conditions. A series of storms scattered the fleet and caused extensive damage to many of the ships, ultimately leading to the sinking of a large number of them as they attempted to return to Spain. This catastrophic turn of events marked a significant turning point in naval power, shifting the balance away from Spain in favor of England and heralding the decline of Spanish dominance in European waters.

Thus, the outcome of the engagement was not merely a defeat at the hands of the English navy, but was compounded by natural disasters that severely impacted the already beleaguered Armada.