Santa Cruz combined operational experience with the political standing needed to compel obedience from rival grandees and even challenge Philip II. His record in amphibious warfare made him the one Spanish commander who might have turned the Enterprise of England into a workable operation. Medina Sidonia was a capable administrator selected partly because his senior rank limited arguments over precedence. He inherited Santa Cruz's instructions, however, without the confidence or authority to depart from the written scheme when circumstances changed.
Chapter · 16:40-23:40
Santa Cruz and the loss of adaptive command
Álvaro de Bazán's death removed the experienced amphibious commander with enough authority to adapt Spain's plan and discipline its nobles.