The Levant Armada in 1588: Three Letters to Philip II

This study presents a critical edition and contextual analysis of three diplomatic letters from 1588, preserved in the Archivo General de Simancas, concerning the strategic movements and provisioning of the Levant Armada. The correspondence—authored by Juan Andrea Doria, Prince of Melfi, and Pedro de Mendoza, ambassador in Genoa—offers insight into the logistical challenges, political coordination, and naval priorities of Philip II’s Mediterranean fleet during a pivotal moment in European maritime history. Through palaeographic transcription and editorial annotation, the article reconstructs the operational dynamics of the Royal Galley and its Genoese allies, highlighting the role of transnational actors and the fragility of winter navigation. The appendices include full transcriptions and archival images sourced from the Spanish Archives Portal (PARES), reinforcing the documentary integrity of the edition.