Surprising new facts have emerged about the background of the Spanish Armada at Portencross which will change the historical landscape forever.

Stephen Brown has revealed his findings in his new book 'The Portencross Armada History' - and how the Spanish landed in Ayrshire.

For the first time since its sinking 430 years ago, the identity of the Spanish Armada ship that sank off the coast of Portencross has been named - El Espíritu Santo.

Stephen also uncovers conspiratorial plans of the Scottish counter-Reformation that threatened not only the crown of Scotland, but also the very future of the British Isles

Stephen said: "The name of the ship wrecked on 8th August 1588 off Portencross as El Espírito Santo – a small two masted ship known as a patache, from the Squadron of Andalusia of the mighty Spanish Armada. For all this time El Espíritu Santo has been listed as missing at sea. We are now able to declare the lost ship found."

A patache was expected to carry about 40 soldiers and sailors, and ten cannon. Stephen points out that it was vastly overladen with 112 men and 43 cannon – probably one of the major reasons why she eventually foundered and sank only one mile from the coast.

Stephen, who hails from West Kilbride, used uncovered Spanish and Scottish State records from 1588 during research for his novel, which also shows how an advance party of Spanish Diplomats from the Armada, and plotting Scottish nobles, were sent to speak to King James VI in the hope of convincing him to launch an army against the English.

"If he refused, the great Catholic Lords of the West of Scotland were expected to rise up, overthrow the King, and secure our nation for the counter-Reformation."

Stephen also gives many new details of the 1740 salvage operation to find the cannon of the El Espírito Santo. As in almost every Spanish Armada wreck, there are also rumours of great treasure to be found.

Stephen added: "The story of El Espíritu Santo is a tale of conspiracy and intrigue, and of unscrupulous characters from both the Elizabethan and Georgian ages.

"Archaeologists are currently discussing whether to try excavate the site, and now with the identification of El Espíritu Santo, a great deal of further information is likely to emerge."

You can purchase the book on Amazon, Kindle and CreateSpace. Go to http://westkilbride.net/en/stories/portencross-armada/