The story of the Spanish Armada is a story of court intrigue, political turbulence, power-hungry monarchies and religious crusading. Designed to invade England and seize the throne from Elizabeth 1, the Armada was one of the greatest naval undertakings in history: 130 ships; 29,453 soldiers and sailors; 2241 guns. But the attack did not go according to plan. In August 1558, scattered by a successful English onslaught, many of the fleeing Spanish ships were dashed against the Irish coast by violent storms, and left foundering in the darkness of the crashing Atlantic Ocean. It was meant to be a glorious moment of victory such as the world had never seen; it became a fight for survival against all the odds.