Drake

• Drake's Early Life and Involvement in Slave Trade

  • Francis Drake's upbringing with the Hawkins family in Plymouth, known for their involvement in merchant activities and piracy
  • John Hawkins' initiation of English trade in enslaved Africans by raiding the West African coast and selling captives to Spanish colonies
  • Drake's potential participation in Hawkins' voyages to Guinea and Sierra Leone, contributing to the enslavement of 1200 - 1400 Africans
  • The controversial nature of Hawkins' actions, leading to protests from Portuguese and Spanish authorities
• Drake's Voyage with Hawkins to the Americas

  1. In 1568, Drake accompanied Hawkins on a voyage to the Americas, aiming to capture Africans for sale in the Caribbean

  2. Alliance with local chiefs in Sierra Leone to capture 250 individuals, adding to the captives already held by the fleet

  3. Damage to Hawkins' fleet in a storm, seeking refuge in San Juan de Ulúa, where they were attacked by Spanish warships

  4. Debate over the profitability of the expedition and its impact on English-Spanish relations, leading to a shift towards raiding Spanish colonies and piracy
• Drake's Early Trips to South America

  1. Drake's return to the Caribbean in 1570 for trade and plunder, setting the stage for his major expedition to the Americas in 1572

  2. Raid on Panama in 1572, targeting ships carrying gold and silver, alongside French privateers

  3. Collaboration with Diego, an enslaved African, and the Cimarrons, former slaves leading independent lives, to capture Spanish riches

  4. Diego's invaluable contributions to Drake's success and his return to England in 1573
• Drake's Circumnavigation Expedition, 1577-1580

  1. Drake's plan to explore the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of South America, focusing on trading, conquest, and settlement opportunities in Spanish-occupied areas

  2. Shift in English sailors' attitudes towards Spanish colonies due to Spain's aggressive policies in the Netherlands and reports of wealth in South America

  3. Drake's expedition funded by investors, including Queen Elizabeth I, to circumnavigate the globe and explore the Americas
• Shift in English Interests

  • Initially focused on Central America, English attention turned to South America in the 1570s
  • Opportunities for conquest, trade, and colonization in Brazil and Peru attracted English sailors
  • Desire to trade with Spanish colonies, establish English settlements, and plunder Spanish ships
  • Exploration driven by the prospect of faster trade routes between East Asia and Europe
• Backers and Secrecy

  • Drake's expedition privately organized and financed by his cousins and members of the Privy Council
  • Support from Queen Elizabeth, but kept secret due to delicate Anglo-Spanish relations
  • Investors concealed true destination from some crew members to avoid conflicts
  • Drake's fleet included the Golden Hind, Elizabeth, Marigold, Benedict, and Swan
• Storms and Fleet Issues

  1. Drake's fleet faced storms off the coast of Brazil, leading to damage and scattering of ships

  2. Decision to streamline the fleet by sinking the Swan and abandoning the Christopher

  3. Struggles with weather conditions and crew dynamics during the voyage

  4. Execution of co-commander Thomas Doughty due to accusations of mutiny and treason
• Passage through the Strait of Magellan


  1. Swift passage through the strait in 16 days, followed by fierce storms in the Pacific

  2. Discovery of the Drake Passage between Cape Horn and Antarctica

  3. Loss of the Marigold and severe damage to the Elizabeth due to storms

  4. Golden Hind remaining seaworthy for further exploration along the Pacific coast
• Raids and Acquisitions


  1. Drake's attacks on Spanish settlements along the Pacific coast due to their perceived vulnerability

  2. Successful raids on ports, towns, and Spanish ships for silver and navigation charts

  3. Encounter with indigenous resistance at Mocha Island resulting in injuries to Drake and crew

  4. Exploitation of Spanish lack of defenses and successful plundering of valuable resources
• Encounter with the Nuestra Señora de la Concepción


  • Drake pursued the Spanish treasure ship Nuestra Señora de la Concepción, which surrendered with little resistance, yielding over £480 million in today's money
  • He showed courtesy to high-ranking prisoners, providing them with gifts and safe conduct
  • The encounter highlighted Drake's success in acquiring immense wealth through strategic pursuits
  • Drake's approach to prisoners varied, showcasing both courtesy and ruthlessness in different situations
• Drake's treatment of Maria and Diego


  • Drake's treatment of an enslaved woman, Maria, intercepted from a Spanish ship, was appalling, leading to her abandonment while pregnant
  • In contrast, Diego, wounded during an attack, became a valued member of Drake's crew
  • The contrasting treatment of Maria and Diego reveals Drake's complex character and actions
  • The incidents shed light on the harsh realities faced by individuals encountered during Drake's voyages
• Preparation for the Return Journey

  1. Drake prioritized the safe transport of acquired treasure back to England, necessitating repairs and provisions for the Golden Hind

  2. He sought a sheltered anchorage beyond Spanish reach to ensure the safety of the ship and its valuable cargo

  3. Encountering another Spanish ship, Drake acquired charts and valuable information for his journey back

  4. The preparations underscored Drake's meticulous planning and strategic considerations for the voyage home
• Geographical Discoveries and Claiming Nova Albion


  1. Drake explored the western coast of North America, possibly reaching modern-day Seattle, in search of a safe harbor or the Strait of Anian

  2. Discovering a protected harbor in northern California, Drake named it 'Nova Albion' and claimed the land for Queen Elizabeth

  3. The encounter with the Miwok people was friendly, showcasing diplomatic interactions during Drake's explorations

  4. The naming of 'Nova Albion' and claiming it for England highlighted Drake's role in expanding geographical knowledge
• Reception in England and Political Fallout

  1. Drake's return to England was met with mixed reactions, influenced by political tensions with Spain

  2. Queen Elizabeth supported Drake despite Spanish demands for restitution, leading to his knighthood and public recognition

  3. The political fallout from Drake's actions led to increased Spanish reinforcement in their territories

  4. Drake's successful voyage exposed Spanish vulnerabilities and triggered English expeditions to the Americas
• Wealth Acquisition and Social Standing

  • Drake's acquisition of immense wealth, including gold, silver, and spices, elevated his social status and financial standing
  • He distributed a significant portion of the treasure among his crew and retained a substantial amount for personal wealth
  • Drake's lavish gifts to Queen Elizabeth and influential figures aimed to secure favor and respect within the English court
  • The treasure's storage in the Tower of London symbolized Drake's newfound wealth and influence
• Record of the Journey

  • Drake meticulously documented his voyage with illustrations, maps, and journals
  • Accurate visual records by Drake and others on board were highly regarded for navigation
  • Sailors used 'rutters' as illustrated guides at the time, with coastlines and navigational details
  • Drake's rutters, influenced by Guillaume le Testu, were detailed aids for navigation and exploration
• Explorations and Discoveries

  • Drake completed the 2nd European circumnavigation, correcting errors on existing maps
  • Discovered the Drake Passage, offering a new route to the Pacific Ocean
  • Named 'Nova Albion' on the north-west coast of the Americas during his exploration and gave it to Elizabeth
  • Charted and navigated the south coast of Java, contributing to improved world maps
• Spanish Perception


  • Drake was viewed as a pirate and heretic by the Spanish, gaining mythical status - el Draco
  • Rumors of supernatural powers and demonic assistance surrounded Drake's successes
  • Individual Spaniards found Drake likeable despite losses, admiring his achievements
  • Drake's name and actions fueled myths of him being a fire-breathing dragon
• English Reception

  • Drake's reputation in England varied based on social class and involvement in his expeditions
  • Public celebrated Drake's knighthood and heroic image, influenced by popular ballads
  • Some who sailed with Drake had negative views, citing his tyrannical behavior and cruelty
  • Doubts lingered about Drake's motives, especially regarding the trial and execution of Thomas Doughty
• Spices grew in Asia and due to climatic conditions were impossible to grow in Europe, making them very valuable
• Spice Islands


  Part of Indonesia, where spices were produced
• Portuguese sailors had attempted to set up trading ports in the Spice Islands in the hope of dominating the spice trade, however local kings and rulers were resisting this
• Drake arrived in the Moluccas islands in 1579


  Established contact with the local Sultan
• Drake was able to gain favour with people in this area By stating that he was an enemy of the Portuguese

  By stating that he was an enemy of the Portuguese
• Knowledge and the creation of trade links had the potential to be a lasting legacy of Drake's voyage
• The East India Company was formed relatively soon after Drake's voyage
• RATIONS SHIPS BISCUIT

  Food taken on ships as it was very long lasting, also known as Hard Tack
• To eat the biscuits

  Sailors would have to soak the biscuit in a liquid to soften it and then it would become edible
• Disease and poor nutrition could be a cause of disease amongst Seafarers. Conditions like Scurvy (caused by lack of vitamin C from fresh fruit or vegetables) could be deadly
• Drake was aware that he needed his crew to stay healthy


  Their regular contact with land around South America enabled them to gather or buy fresh food and they captured and ate any sea creatures they could
• Animals were kept on board to provide food like eggs
• Knowledge of food and how to purchase or find it while travelling around the world was valuable information in enabling future voyages to take place
• Trading companies formed as a result of connections made by explorers

  • Eastland Company - formed in 1579 and traded timber, tar, canvas and rope with Scandinavia and the Baltic
  • Levant Company - formed in 1581, trading goods in the Mediterranean such as currants and dyes
  • East India Company - formed in 1600, traded in Far East in silks, spices, cotton and tea
• James Lancaster who established the first English Trading post in South East Asia
• Drake sailed from Plymouth November 1577 to Morocco where he was caught in a storm. Reached Cape Verde in December and captured a Portuguese merchant ship as well as Nuno de silva
• Drake returned to Plymouth in September 1579 with 59 crew members and immensely valuable cargo
• In 1584, Walter Raleigh received a royal patent that allowed him to explore & colonise
• In 1584 Walter Raleigh was claimed Virginia, named after the virgin queen
• El dorado


  Mythical city of gold
• Walter Raleigh was dismissed from court after marrying Elizabeth throckmorton without permission in 1592