A Coruña's anchorage, construction facilities, protected Ferrol waters, captain-general, arsenal, and weapons stocks made it a plausible departure base for the Armada. The expedition followed arrangements organized by the Marquis of Santa Cruz because they suited the fleet he had been running. Once Philip II approved the plan, Medina Sidonia lacked Santa Cruz's authority to rewrite it even if another base better suited the operation. Leadership changed, but the approved plan had become difficult to adjust. Drake's sack of A Coruña in 1589 confirms that the English also recognized its strategic value as Spain rebuilt naval strength.
Notable Point · 28:48-31:09
Why the Armada might have sailed from A Coruña
A Coruña offered the anchorage, arsenal, and authority structure for an Armada base, but approved plans were difficult for a successor commander to alter.