Francis Drake
Francis Drake was born at Crowndale Farm in Tavistock, Devon, England. His birth date remains uncertain, though estimates place it around 1540 or 1541 based on portraits painted by Nicholas Hilliard and Jodocus Hondius I. The first son of Edmund Drake, a Protestant farmer, and Mary Mylwaye, he grew up as the eldest of twelve children. Religious persecution during the Prayer Book Rebellion in 1549 forced his family to flee from Devon to Kent. There, his father secured an appointment to minister to men in the King's Navy and became vicar of Upchurch Church on the Medway. At an early age, Drake entered the household of William Hawkins, a prominent sea captain in Plymouth. He began seagoing training as an apprentice on Hawkins' boats. By eighteen years old, he served as a purser according to English chronicler Edmund Howes. In the 1550s, his father found him a position with the master of a small barque trading between the Medway River and the Dutch coast. The ship's master died unmarried and childless, bequeathing the vessel directly to young Drake.
In 1562, Sir John Hawkins devised a plan to break into the West African slave trade dominated by Portugal and Spain. Drake participated as one of hundreds of seamen on Hawkins' first two slaving voyages, though he was not part of the financier group. Sources vary on his exact role, but Harry Kelsey suggests he was twenty years old during these expeditions. Queen Elizabeth I lent Hawkins her ship Jesus of Lübeck for his second voyage in 1564. Hawkins attacked an African native town and sold many inhabitants in Spanish ports on the Caribbean mainland. The voyage proved highly profitable for investors including the Queen. A third voyage in 1566 led by relative John Lovell failed when over ninety enslaved Africans were released without payment. The final joint voyage occurred in 1567 when Drake accompanied Hawkins again. They attempted to capture slaves around Cape Verde but failed. Hawkins allied with local kings in Sierra Leone who asked for help against their enemies. The fleet faced storms, Spanish hostility, and a hurricane that separated ships. Remaining vessels sought refuge in San Juan de Ulúa near Vera Cruz. Newly appointed viceroy Martín Enríquez de Almanza arrived with a fleet while negotiations continued. Spanish ships attacked English vessels in what became known as the Battle of San Juan de Ulúa. All but two English ships were lost. Drake, captain of Judith, fled leaving Hawkins behind. Hawkins escaped on Minion with only fifteen crew members remaining. Upon returning to England, Hawkins accused Drake of desertion and stealing accumulated treasure. Drake denied both accusations, asserting he had distributed all profits among the crew.
War broke out between England and Spain in 1585 after signing Treaty of Nonsuch. Queen Elizabeth ordered Drake to lead expedition attacking Spanish colonies as pre-emptive strike. Fleet left Plymouth September 1585 with twenty-one ships and eighteen hundred soldiers under Christopher Carleill. They attacked Vigo holding place two weeks ransoming supplies then plundered Santiago Cape Verde islands. Fleet sacked Santo Domingo and captured Cartagena de Indias present-day Colombia. At Cartagena, Drake released one hundred Turkish slaves. On the 6th of June 1586 during return leg, he attacked wooden Spanish fort San Agustín burning town ground. After raids, he found Sir Walter Raleigh's settlement Roanoke further north replenishing it taking back original colonists before Sir Richard Grenville arrived. Final arrival occurred the 22nd of July when sailing into Portsmouth England to hero welcome. Philip II ordered planned invasion of England partly to prevent future attacks by English privateers against Spanish interests. Cádiz raid began the 15th of March 1587 when Drake accepted commission disrupting shipping routes slowing supplies from Italy and Andalucia to Lisbon. Arriving at Cádiz the 19th of April, Drake pressed attack inner harbour inflicting heavy damage claiming sinking thirty-nine ships while Spanish admitted loss only twenty-four. Attack became known as singeing King beard delaying Spanish invasion year. Over next month patrolled Iberian coasts between Lisbon and Cape St Vincent intercepting destroying ships on Spanish supply lines. Expedition resulted total profit England around one hundred forty thousand pounds including eighteen thousand two hundred thirty-five pounds going directly to Drake.
Drake first became member parliament last session fourth Parliament Elizabeth I the 16th of January 1581 constituency Camelford. He did not actively participate point granting leave absence seventeen February 1581 certain necessary business service Her Majesty. Became Mayor Plymouth September 1581 installing compass town Hoe passing law regulating local pilchard trade. During term lord mayor contracted construct leat canal bringing water River Meavy building six new gristmills deriving substantial profit. Became member parliament again 1584 Bossiney forming fifth Parliament Elizabeth I serving duration parliament active issues regarding navy fishing early American colonisation issues related chiefly Devon. Spent time covered next two parliamentary terms engaged other duties expedition Portugal. Became member parliament Plymouth 1593 emphasizing defence against Spanish. His political career reflected growing tensions between English privateering ambitions and Spanish imperial power. As mayor he implemented infrastructure projects benefiting local economy while maintaining defensive posture against potential invasion threats. These civic responsibilities complemented his naval exploits demonstrating versatility beyond maritime warfare contexts.
In 1595 failed conquer port Las Palmas following disastrous campaign Spanish America suffering number defeats unsuccessfully attacked San Juan Puerto Rico losing Battle San Juan. Spanish gunners El Morro Castle shot cannonball through stateroom expedition flagship surviving injury. Drake Thomas Baskerville captured burned Nombre de Dios starting overland crossing isthmus attacking city Panama repulsed well-entrenched Spaniards barricading road suffering heavy casualties giving attempt up. Few weeks later the 28th of January 1596 died aged about fifty-six dysentery common disease time anchored coast Portobelo where some Spanish treasure ships sought shelter. Following death English fleet withdrew defeated. Before dying asked dressed full armour buried sea sealed lead-lined coffin near Portobelo few miles coastline supposed final resting place near wrecks two British ships Elizabeth Delight scuttled Portobelo Bay. Efforts researchers treasure hunters discover location remains ongoing divers continue search seabed coffin. Failure cost lives eleven thousand English soldiers sailors according Bucholz Key Robert Hutchinson says between eight thousand eleven thousand died Gorrochategui Santos calculates number over twenty thousand. Upon return behavior expedition increasingly called question culminating charged England Privy Council deliberate failings mishandling command. Despite never publicly admonished charges fell favour given command another naval expedition until 1595.
Historical sources Drake early life scarce tending obscure resulting two common scholarly traditions concerning contributions. Older tradition found Julian Corbett biography Drake Tudor Navy 1898 identifying single most important figure founding triumph British navy. Alternative approach locates squarely within privateering emphasizing flaws failures sometimes less just. Left behind words own only actions interpretations open deep disagreement Peter Whitfield says scholarship moved hero worship Victorians cold iconoclasm twenty-first century. Drake Drum became icon English folklore variation classic king asleep mountain story motif inspiring poem Henry Newbolt. Major focus video game series Uncharted specifically first third instalments Uncharted Drake's Fortune Uncharted 3 Drake's Deception following Nathan Drake self-proclaimed descendant retracing ancestor voyages. Subject TV series Sir Francis Drake 1961, 1962 Terence Morgan played Drake 26-episode adventure drama. Valparaíso Chile folklore associates cave known Cueva del Pirata Francis Drake legend says ransacked port disappointed scant plunder proceeded enter churches fury sack urinate chalices supposedly still found plunder worth enough take aboard galleon hid cave. Geographical names include Drake Passage strait connecting southern Atlantic Ocean Pacific Ocean named after him. Various places United Kingdom named especially Plymouth Devon including Drake Island Drake Circus Shopping Centre Royal Navy base HMNB Devonport also HMS Drake. Plymouth Hoe home statue Drake. Sir Francis Drake Channel located British Virgin Islands. Several mountains British Columbia named 1930s connection Elizabeth I other figures era including Mount Sir Francis Drake Mount Queen Bess Golden Hinde highest mountain Vancouver Island. Landmarks northern California named late nineteenth continuing twentieth centuries American historian Richard White posits origins nineteenth-century Anglo-Saxonism. Public scrutiny memorials intensified 2020 George Floyd protests drew critical attention place names monuments perceived connected white supremacy colonialism racial injustice. Several California landmarks commemorating removed renamed citing associations transatlantic slave trade colonialism piracy Sir Francis Drake High School San Anselmo changed name Archie Williams High School former teacher Olympic athlete Archie Williams. Statue Larkspur California removed city authorities. Multiple jurisdictions Marin County considered renaming Sir Francis Drake Boulevard major thoroughfare left intact failed reach consensus. San Francisco Sir Francis Drake Hotel renamed Beacon Grand Hotel.
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Common questions
When and where was Francis Drake born?
Francis Drake was born at Crowndale Farm in Tavistock, Devon, England around 1540 or 1541. His exact birth date remains uncertain based on portraits painted by Nicholas Hilliard and Jodocus Hondius I.
What happened during the circumnavigation of Francis Drake starting December 1577?
Drake's fleet set sail from Plymouth aboard Pelican on the 15th of December 1577 with four other ships and 164 men. He executed Thomas Doughty on the 2nd of July 1578 after a shipboard trial for witchcraft and mutiny before sailing north along the Pacific coast to capture Spanish treasure.
How did Francis Drake die and when did his death occur?
Francis Drake died aged about fifty-six on the 28th of January 1596 from dysentery while anchored off the coast of Portobelo. He requested to be buried in full armor inside a lead-lined coffin near the wrecks of two British ships scuttled in Portobelo Bay.
Why is the Cádiz raid significant in the history of Francis Drake?
The Cádiz raid began the 15th of March 1587 when Drake accepted a commission to disrupt shipping routes and slow supplies from Italy and Andalucia to Lisbon. Arriving at Cádiz the 19th of April, he claimed sinking thirty-nine ships and inflicted heavy damage known as singeing King beard which delayed the Spanish invasion year.
What political roles did Francis Drake hold during his lifetime?
Drake first became member parliament last session fourth Parliament Elizabeth I the 16th of January 1581 representing constituency Camelford. He later served as Mayor of Plymouth starting September 1581 and returned to parliament for Bossiney in 1584 and Plymouth in 1593 emphasizing defense against Spain.