In the 16th century, the Spanish Armada was the reigning maritime superpower, with mighty galleons at their disposal. On the other hand, the English were the upstarts, opportunistic pirates with inferior ships. Led by buccaneering figures such as Francis Drake and John Hawkins, English ship technology began to catch up, leading to the revolutionary "race-built galleons." In 1588, both sides would meet in battle for the right to be declared rulers of the waves. England defeated the Spanish Armada and became a world power.