The Sea Hawk

King Philip II declares his intention to destroy England as the first step toward world conquest. He orders preparations for a vast Armada and assigns Don Álvarez to smooth relations with Elizabeth I, hoping to quiet suspicions and secure Spain's aims.

Don Álvarez and his niece Doña María travel toward England, but their ship is intercepted by Captain Geoffrey Thorpe aboard the Albatross. The ambassador's party is captured and taken to England, altering the balance of power.

Doña María is welcomed into Elizabeth I's circle as a maid of honor. Thorpe is immediately drawn to her, returning her plundered jewels and beginning to fall in love as their paths cross at court.

The Sea Hawks raid Spanish merchant shipping, drawing public scorn and private concern for peace with Spain. Privately, Captain Thorpe is authorized to pursue a bold plan to seize a Spanish treasure fleet.

Lord Wolfingham secretly spies on the Armada's movements. A spy visits the chartmaker, and the conspirators deduce that the voyage will go to the Isthmus of Panama, triggering an ambush plan.

The Albatross reaches Panama and Thorpe's ambush is sprung, but the attackers fall into a trap and are driven into the swamps. The English raiders suffer defeat and must retreat.

Thorpe and the surviving crew members return to their ship, only to find it seized by the Spaniards. They are sent to Spain and tried by the Inquisition, sentenced to life as galley slaves.

Back in England, Don Álvarez informs Queen Elizabeth of Thorpe's fate, provoking Doña María's faint reaction. The queen expels Don Álvarez from her court.

On a Spanish galley, Thorpe befriends an English captive named Abbott. Together they stage a mutiny and seize control of the ship in the dead of night.

The mutineers seize another harbor ship where secret incriminating plans are stored and sail both vessels back to England with the evidence exposing King Philip's true intentions.

Upon reaching port, Thorpe makes to warn the Queen. A carriage brings Don Álvarez to the ship, and Doña María chooses to remain in England, awaiting Thorpe's return.

Disguised as a Spanish courtier, Thorpe sneaks into the carriage carrying Doña María and later makes his way into the queen's residence, fighting guards along the way.

Thorpe confronts Lord Wolfingham and kills the traitor in a swordfight, then presents proof of Philip's plans to Queen Elizabeth. The queen knights Thorpe and vows to build a great fleet to oppose Spain.