The humble currant played a surprising and critical role in England's defense against the Spanish Armada in 1588, according to a recent episode of "The Tudors With Rob Rinder and Ruth Goodman" on Channel 5. The documentary, reviewed by TV critic Christopher Stevens, highlighted how the dried fruit was instrumental in funding the navy that repelled the Spanish invasion.
Stevens noted that the program moved beyond a common, what he termed "woke," approach to history that judges past societies by modern standards. Instead, the episode focused on specific historical details that offered new perspectives on familiar events.
One such detail concerned the tradition of eating fish on Fridays. Contrary to popular belief that it was purely religious, the practice was apparently driven by economic and defense needs. As an island nation reliant on a strong maritime presence, Tudor England needed to maintain a steady supply of sailors. To ensure a robust fishing industry, especially during peacetime when the Royal Navy was not fully active, eating fish on Fridays was made mandatory. This policy helped keep mariners employed and skilled, ready to be called upon when needed.
The documentary also touched upon England's defense strategy, which lacked a standing army. Instead, the entire male population, from ages seven to 60, was required to own a bow and arrows and be proficient in their use, suggesting a nation more actively prepared for conflict than might be assumed.
The central revelation, however, revolved around currants. The documentary explained that these dried fruits were not merely a sweetener for dishes like meat pies and lardy cakes, but were a significant source of wealth. The monopoly on currants was held by a London merchant named Thomas Cordell, whose shipping business facilitated their import. When the Spanish Armada approached, the Crown commandeered Cordell's fleet to form a makeshift navy. This fleet, supplemented by approximately 16,000 conscripts, was crucial in the engagement with the Spanish.
While the naval battle and pursuit resulted in relatively few English sailor deaths (around 100), the documentary pointed out the grim reality of disease that claimed the lives of approximately 7,000 sailors on the voyage home. This historical detail underscores the sacrifices made by those involved in the defense of the realm.
The episode, which explored the England of 1588 and its precarious position against the formidable Spanish fleet, ultimately redeemed the series' format, which had previously been criticized for its occasionally judgmental approach to historical figures and events. The focus on the economic and strategic significance of the currant provided a compelling narrative that linked everyday produce to national survival.