A set of rare maps, which date to 1589 and show the Spanish Armada battles off the coast of the Isle of Wight, have been bought by Portsmouth's National Museum of the Royal Navy.

Drawn up by an un-named draughtsman, who was thought to have been from the Netherlands, the maps show the 1588 battle in the waters around Dorset and the Island.

A successful fundraising campaign was led by the museum, to stop the ten ink and watercolour hand-drawn maps from leaving the UK.

Now, it is fundraising to display them at its Portsmouth Historic Dockyard home after lockdown and there are also plans for a country-wide tour.

It was the year of Queen Elizabeth's historic speech at Tilbury, Essex.

As she sent her ships out to battle, she told them: "I have the body of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too." 

Days later, the fleet was mid-battle off the Isle of Wight.

Among the collection of maps, chart 6 immortalises the events of August 2 and 3, 1588.

Isle of Wight County Press: The Isle of Wight is clearly marked on the map from 1589. Credit: PA

The Isle of Wight is clearly marked on the map from 1589 Credit: PA

Off the south coast of the Isle of Wight, the English attacked the Armada's flagship, the El Gran Grifon, causing damage.

Chart 7 shows what happened on August 4, 1588, as Sir Francis Drake tried to force the Spanish fleet northwards, to the Isle of Wight's east coast.

A museum spokeswoman said: “The maps depict in real time a navy defending England’s shores against invasion by the 16th century’s imperial super-power of Spain, with each map detailing the position in the Channel of individual ships in the English and Spanish fleets.

“The defeat of the armada and the 16th century’s superpower was a turning point in forging England’s complex identity as it developed into the modern age.

“The maps offer the opportunity to explore the role of the navy throughout history as a protector of an island nation.”

The museum raised £600,000 in two months, through public donations and grants.

The National Heritage Memorial Fund contributed £212,800, while £200,000 came from the Art Fund.

The maps are believed to be the earliest surviving images of the famous battle.

They have never left the United Kingdom and an export bar was placed on them last year - to ensure they stayed here.

Isle of Wight County Press: Professor Dominic Tweddle, Director General of the National Museum of the Royal Navy, looks at one of the 'Armada Maps' at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Credit: PA

Professor Dominic Tweddle, Director General of the National Museum of the Royal Navy, looks at one of the 'Armada Maps' at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Credit: PA

Professor Dominic Tweddle, the museum’s director general, said: “I am incredibly proud that we have made sure that the Armada maps have been saved for generations to come.

“I would take this opportunity to place on record my gratitude to all those who answered our call to help.”

Rene Olivieri, interim chairman of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, said: “By safeguarding them from export, we can ensure that these maps remain in the UK as they have done since the 16th century.”

Sarah Philp, director of programme and policy for Art Fund, said: “Art Fund is so pleased to help save these irreplaceable maps for the nation.”