Carlos de Amésquita

Who is Carlos de Amésquita?

Carlos de Amésquita was a Spanish naval officer of the 16th century. He is remembered for an action taken while on a naval patrol, known as the Battle of Cornwall, during the Anglo-Spanish War 1585–1604.

Amésquita commanded three companies and four galleys. They disembarked at Penmarch on July 26, and in the Mount's Bay on August 2.

After burning the town of Mousehole, Amésquita and his men embarked on their galleys and sailed for two miles, after which they disembarked again, conquered and burned the fort of Penzance down, Newlyn, and Penzance. They celebrated a mass in which they promised to build a church after England had been defeated.