The English navy, under the command of Sir Francis Drake, was able to defeat the Spanish armada in 1588 and prevent an invasion of England by Spanish troops. Before that, English naval vessels, commissioned for piracy, had harassed and taken quite a bit of gold from Spanish ships traveling from the New World to Spain. By ridding himself of the English Queen, King Philip hoped to rid Europe of Protestantism,end English piracy, and become the most powerful monarch in Europe.The defeat of the armada at sea, before it could land any troops in England, led to the eventual bankruptcy of Spain and the rise of England as the most powerful nation in Europe.

Why was Queen Elizabeth's navy important to her?

Queen Elizabeth's navy was important to her on several levels. Obviously, when she defeated Spain in 1588 it cemented British superiority over the seas. However, one must consider Queen Elizabeth's understanding of her place in history. It was her father, King Henry the VIII who advanced Englands' naval forces. He understood that as an island nation, Britains' superiority as a nation rested in its navy. Elizabeth sought to legitimize her position (which was under religious scrunity in Europe)therefore her best bet was to defeat the reigning 'superpower' of the day. Once she defeated Spain she earned  the respect she deserved as the leader of a nation.

One reason the British Navy was so important was this is the way England expanded it's conquests of other territories.  The Navy was responsible for increasing England's power overseas. 

Another reason for the emphasis on the Navy was for protection of the British coast.

The British Navy defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588.

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