ory over England, certainly, but the above all the impetus was the divine mission upon which Philip believed he was embarked. Philip wanted to do what he believed was God's will in attacking and defeating the English so that he and Spain would rule over a vast empire in the name of both God and country. As Mendoza wrote, "It would seem to be God's obvious design to bestow upon Your Majesty the crowns of these two kingdoms" (40). He also especially felt the call to help the Catholics of England (79) by bringing them under his protection. This seems to be the major goal, in Mattingly's view, because, writing of the dangers of the invasion, he writes what he imagines Philip's thoughts might have been: "Could God ask so much, even to restore England to the faith?" (80).
On a more practical level, several goals stand out. For example, along with Mendoza, he wanted revenge for the Spanish embassy having been expelled in 1855 (39). Spain also saw England as a threat, symbol
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