Almost four hundred and thirty years later, Stephen Brown opens a new chapter in the history of the Spanish Armada.The identity of the Spanish Armada ship that sank off the coast of Portencross in Ayrshire, Scotland, has been shrouded in myth, mystery and misdirection for over four hundred years. In this volume, Stephen Brown names that Spanish ship, whilst uncovering conspiratorial plans of the Scottish counter-Reformation that threatened not only the crown of Scotland, but also the very future of the British Isles. This is an incredible new find that promises many further exploration opportunities. The author then describes and illustrates the "successful" 1740 salvage operation that saw twenty Armada cannon brought to the surface, shows that ten were destroyed and details where at least five of these remain outdoors on the west of Scotland to this day.This volume will appeal to those seeking to understand the incredibly volatile society of late sixteenth century Scotland. It finally lays to rest a mystery that has dogged the community of Portencross for many, many years and outlines a major new national find that will stimulate and excite historians, archaeologists and naval explorers alike.Contents: Chapter 1 - Naming The ShipIn which, after four hundred and twenty seven years, the author reveals the name of the Armada ship that sank at Portencross.Chapter 2 - The RosarioThe story behind the sinking, and revealing the secret plan of the Spanish diplomats and military men who landed in Ayrshire, and who would seek the support of King James VI against the English. Chapter 3 - The Portencross WreckThe detailed story of the sinking of the ship, and who may have been aboardChapter 4 - The ConspiracyIn which the author details the counter-Reformation conspiracy plans afoot. Chapter 5 - The 1740 SalvageA detailed look at the subsequent salvage of twenty Armada cannon from the wreck, how they did it, and whoChapter 6 - The CannonsWe learn of the ten broke cannon that were melted down, the five that are missing, and the five that still can be seen lying outside on the west coast of Scotland, locations suppliedChapter 7 - ConclusionThe conclusions we may draw from the events outlinedAppendix I - Soldiers and SailorsThe proof that the ship identified is the one at PortencrossAppendix II - The Major ConspiratorsWho was behind the counter-Reformation conspiracy Appendix III - Semple in "The Scotsman"An article that appeared in the paper in 1896 that put one of the main conspirators in a glowing lightAppendix IV - The Minor ConspiratorsOthers who were probably involved in this plotAppendix V - Captain Jacob RoeA short biography of the unscrupulous character that "disappeared" the cannonsThis is a new exciting work, opening a new chapter in the history of the Armada, and showing the story behind attempts at enlisting the support of King James VI to subdue the English with the support of the Spanish. If he refused, would the Scottish counter-Reformation have overthrown the King and returned Scotland to the Roman faith? The failure of the Armada and the prompt arrest of the conspirators ensured the history we know today.Cover Image By Peter Ribbeckwww.PeterRibbeck.com
About the Author: Stephen Brown regards himself as a gentleman of no particular consequence or merit, trained originally as an accountant but now owns a number of businesses on the west coast of Scotland. He is a non executive Director of several companies, and a Trustee of various Charities. Between 2010 and 2014 he was a voting Trustee of Scotland's largest charity, the Church of Scotland, and has been a pioneering Director of a number of other initiatives such as Craft Town Scotland. He is currently a convener in his local Presbytery, and an elder of his church. Stephen's abiding passion is to delve into history (particularly local) and using his lateral thought processes, invoke new interpretations and discoveries. Stephen has also written an international bestselling leadership handbook for the global internet gaming community, A Desiderata for the 21st Century (small volume of Poetry) and a history of the West Kilbride Town Coat of Arms. He is working through a number of other book ideas as always! All his books are published by his own company - The Transparent Publishing Company (sales@transparentpublishing.co.uk) and are available through Createspace, Kindle and Amazon. He lives in West Kilbride with his wife Catherine, and four children. Cover Image By Peter Ribbeck www.PeterRibbeck.com Peter Ribbeck, one of Scotland's finest young photographers (and resident of West Kilbride), has gained popular notice through his striking colour photographs in which form and content continually balance on the edge of abstraction. His contextual approach is to be unafraid to ask questions about basic conventions of light and structure, and builds a sub-text narrative as to how a contemporary digital landscape photograph can and should operate. This approach to lighting, angles and colours result in visually arresting and almost magical imagery. His work is most often described as a "redefinition of natural expectations."