SIR FRANCIS DRAKE
Francis Drake was born in Devon, England in 1540, although the exact date in unknown. Drake had 11 brothers, and his father was a protestant farmer. As a result of religious persecution in 1549, Francis and his family had to flee to another county. Drake was sent to be an apprentice with a sailing ship master. During the apprentice Drake learnt many useful trading and shipping skills that were beneficial in his later life.
Sire Francis Drake
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Following his apprenticeship, Drake sailed to the Americas with his cousin, Sir John Hawkins. During the voyage a number of ships were trapped by the Spaniards, however Drake and his cousin escaped. Drake was keen to seek revenge. In 1572 Drake set off on his own voyage. He raided a number of Spanish towns and captured treasure and people. He was badly wounded in one raid and had to remain in one town for over a year. Once he recovered he and his men set sail again, and amassed a huge hoard of gold and silver. In fact, they had so much that they had to bury a lot of the treasure in order to keep it safe. This is what led to the numerous childhood stories of buried treasure and pirates.
Drake soon became a prolific sea captain, privateer, navigator. He set sail again and between 1577 and 1580, he led the second continuous circumnavigation of the world. He was the first captain to ever lead the voyage from start to finish. The voyage was not without set back and a lot of crew members died on the journey. |
Following his apprenticeship, Drake sailed to the Americas with his cousin, Sir John Hawkins. During the voyage a number of ships were trapped by the Spaniards, however Drake and his cousin escaped. Drake was keen to seek revenge. In 1572 Drake set off on his own voyage. He raided a number of Spanish towns and captured treasure and people. He was badly wounded in one raid and had to remain in one town for over a year. Once he recovered he and his men set sail again, and amassed a huge hoard of gold and silver. In fact, they had so much that they had to bury a lot of the treasure in order to keep it safe. This is what led to the numerous childhood stories of buried treasure and pirates.
Drake soon became a prolific sea captain, privateer, navigator. He set sail again and between 1577 and 1580, he led the second continuous circumnavigation of the world. He was the first captain to ever lead the voyage from start to finish. The voyage was not without set back and a lot of crew members died on the journey.
During the circumnavigation he initiated an era of piracy in the previously piracy free western coast of the Americas which did not impress the Spanish. Although Drake was considered a hero to the English and as a result Elizabeth I awarded Drake a knighthood in 1581, he was thought to be a pirate by the Spanish they called him ‘El Draque’. In fact, he was so disliked by the Spaniards that the Spanish King Philip II offered over 20,000 ducats (about US$6.5million today) for killing Drake.
Following a number of acts against the Spanish, including those that involved Drake, King Phillip II ordered an invasion of England. In 1588, the Spanish attempted to invade England. The English however were prepared, with Drake, the second in command of the English fleet. During the Spanish Armada, many people died, however the English won quite easily. Drake continued exploring after the Spanish Armada, and he did not rest up until he was in his mid-fifties.
Drake died from dysentery on the 27th of January 1596. He was buried at sea wearing his full armour.
Drake soon became a prolific sea captain, privateer, navigator. He set sail again and between 1577 and 1580, he led the second continuous circumnavigation of the world. He was the first captain to ever lead the voyage from start to finish. The voyage was not without set back and a lot of crew members died on the journey.
During the circumnavigation he initiated an era of piracy in the previously piracy free western coast of the Americas which did not impress the Spanish. Although Drake was considered a hero to the English and as a result Elizabeth I awarded Drake a knighthood in 1581, he was thought to be a pirate by the Spanish they called him ‘El Draque’. In fact, he was so disliked by the Spaniards that the Spanish King Philip II offered over 20,000 ducats (about US$6.5million today) for killing Drake.
Following a number of acts against the Spanish, including those that involved Drake, King Phillip II ordered an invasion of England. In 1588, the Spanish attempted to invade England. The English however were prepared, with Drake, the second in command of the English fleet. During the Spanish Armada, many people died, however the English won quite easily. Drake continued exploring after the Spanish Armada, and he did not rest up until he was in his mid-fifties.
Drake died from dysentery on the 27th of January 1596. He was buried at sea wearing his full armour.