Martin Frobisher
Martin Frobisher was probably born in 1535 or 1536, the son of merchant Bernard Frobisher and Margaret York. His father died prematurely in 1542, leaving the family to be cared for by his uncle Francis Frobisher. Young Martin received only rudimentary education before being sent to London in 1549 to live with Sir John York. This wealthy Merchant Taylors member provided crucial connections within royal government circles.
In 1553, Thomas Wyndham led England's first expedition to West Africa with three ships and 140 men. Frobisher accompanied this fleet in an unknown capacity while York invested in the enterprise. The group plundered Portuguese ships near Madeira and traded English cloth for 150 pounds of gold on the Gold Coast. They pushed further south to Benin where they negotiated directly with Oba Orhogbua for 80 tons of melegueta pepper.
Disease swept through the crew during pepper gathering operations, killing many including leader Wyndham. With insufficient sailors remaining, the expedition abandoned one ship and left behind some members in their panic to depart. Only 40 of the original 140 crewmen survived the return voyage after losing two ships. Frobisher emerged as one of these survivors, confirming York's assessment that he possessed "great spirit and bould courage, and natural hardnes of body."
Undaunted by this experience, Frobisher joined a new expedition to Portuguese Guinea in 1554 under John Lok's command. After seven weeks sailing, they made landfall near Cestos River in present-day Liberia. When local authorities demanded a hostage before negotiations could proceed, Frobisher volunteered himself. Before deals concluded, a Portuguese ship fired on the English fleet, abandoning Frobisher who was then handed over to Portuguese traders at Mina.
Imprisoned in São Jorge da Mina castle for nine months, Frobisher eventually made his way back to England around 1558. The circumstances surrounding his release remain unclear with no evidence of diplomatic efforts securing his freedom.
Frobisher returned to sea soon after his release from Portugal. By 1559, he led voyages to the Barbary Coast attempting to secure Anthony Hammond's release as an English hostage. That same September, pirate Henry Strangways testified about Frobisher's involvement in an aborted plot to attack the Portuguese fortress where he had been held captive.
On the 30th of September 1559, Frobisher married Yorkshire widow Isobel Richard who possessed substantial inheritance from her previous marriage to Thomas Rigatt. Having spent all her fortune financing his ventures, Frobisher left her and their children by mid-1570s. Her death in a poorhouse in 1588 went unremarked by the ambitious captain.
In 1563, Frobisher joined privateering operations with brother John Frobisher and fellow Yorkshireman John Appleyard. Appleyard received licenses to seize French Catholic ships while Martin captained one vessel possibly serving as fleet commander. By May 1563, they captured five French ships bringing them to Plymouth harbor before Frobisher faced arrest over Spanish ship seizures resulting in 40 English deaths.
Thomas Cobham led this attack providing tapestries and wine that landed Frobisher in prison. Released in 1564, he purchased two ships Mary Flower and William Baxter intending Guinea coast trade. Officials remained skeptical of his motives when storms drove him into Scarborough leading to another brief imprisonment by admiralty court.
Frobisher gained freedom again on the 31st of October 1566 conditional upon obtaining sea licenses. In 1568, he commanded Robert for exiled Cardinal of Chatillon licensing six vessels preying on French shipping. He associated briefly with notable privateers including John Hawkins and William Winter but refused limiting attacks to Catholic vessels seizing Protestant ships carrying English goods too.
Arrested once more in 1569, Frobisher endured imprisonment at Fleet prison then Marshalsea until intervention by Lord Admiral Edward Fiennes de Clinton and Secretary of State William Cecil secured his release in March 1570.
Throughout the sixteenth century, England debated northern routes to Cathay and East Indies tested repeatedly. Sebastian Cabot led early expeditions searching for passage in 1508 while Robert Thorne and Roger Barlow unsuccessfully tried Henry VIII's interest in sailing directly over North Pole to China during 1530s.
In 1551, English merchants formed what became known as Muscovy Company seeking northeast passage around Arctic coasts of Norway and Russia. Humphrey Gilbert emerged as influential advocate for northwest passage in 1560s penning detailed treatises supporting the concept. Although Frobisher may have expressed interest as early as 1560, he actively pursued the idea much later.
In 1574, Frobisher petitioned Privy Council requesting permission and financial support leading expedition to find north-west passage to "Southern Sea" (Pacific Ocean) then thence to Cathay. Some members intrigued but cautiously referred him to Muscovy Company holding exclusive rights to any northern sea routes eastward.
Frobisher persuaded Muscovy Company to license his expedition in 1576 with help from director Michael Lok raising capital for three barques: Gabriel and Michael each about 20-25 tons plus unnamed pinnace of 10 tons totaling crew of 35. Queen Elizabeth I sent word expressing good liking their doings before ships weighed anchor at Blackwall on the 7th of June 1576.
Elizabeth waved departing ships from Greenwich Palace window while cannons fired salutes amid large crowds cheering. On the 26th of June fleet reached Shetland Islands stopping repair leak in Michael hull fixing water casks same evening hoisting sail setting course westwards sailing west by north three days until violent storm arose pounding continuously through the 8th of July.
On the 11th of July 1576 they sighted mountains southeastern tip Greenland mistaking them for non-existent island called 'Friesland'. Crossing Davis Strait encountered another violent storm sinking pinnace turning Michael back England while Gabriel sailed four days until crew sighted what believed coast Labrador actually southernmost tip Baffin Island Frobisher named "Queen Elizabeth's Foreland".
Ship reached mouth Frobisher Bay few days later ice wind prevented further travel northward determined to sail westwards up bay believing entrance North-west Passage naming it Frobisher's Strait see whether might carry himself through same into some open sea backside. Gabriel sailed northwestwards keeping sight bay's north shore. On the 18th of August 1576, Burch's Island sighted named after ship's carpenter first spied it where expedition met local Inuit.
Arrangements made one Inuit guide region sending five men ship's boat return him shore instructing avoid getting too close others. Boat's crew disobeyed however taking five Frobisher's men captive. After days searching recovering insubordinate sailors took hostage native man seeing exchange missing boat's crew arranged could happen.
Captive refused communicating fellow Inuit Frobisher's men never seen again by fellows though Inuit oral tradition tells lived among them few years own free will dying attempting leave Baffin Island self-made boat. Meanwhile local man Wherupon when found himself captivitie choler disdain bit tong twayne within mouth died not thereof living until came England then died cold taken sea.
Frobisher turned homewell received Queen docking London the 9th of October Among things hastily brought away black stone as great half-penny loaf found loose surface Hall's Island Baffin Island shipmaster Robert Garrard who took sea-coal needing. Garrard one five men captured several days later Frobisher took no account black rock kept token possession new territory.
Michael Lok said upon returning London Arctic given black stone first object taken new land Lok brought samples royal assayer Tower London two other expert assayers declaring worthless saying marcasite contained gold. Lok then took ore Italian alchemist Giovanni Battista Agnello claiming gold-bearing. Agnello assayed ore three times showing Lok small amounts gold dust challenging why others failed find gold specimens replied Bisogna sapere adulare natura One must know how flatter nature ignoring negative reports Lok secretly wrote Queen informing encouraging result using assessment lobby investors financing another voyage.
Following disastrous Cathay Company venture damaging reputation adventurer-explorer services line required no longer Frobisher sought employment applying major shareholder Arctic enterprise Sir William Wynter leading fleet four heavily armed vessels Ireland under orders putting down Desmond rebellion against English Crown securing appointment captain Foresight sailing early March 1580 participating Siege Smerwick Dingle Peninsula rocky promontory southwestern shore County Kerry Emanuel wrecked two years previously.
Frobisher joined Francis Drake 1585 raids Spanish ports shipping West Indies vice-admiral Drake's fleet appointed position by Queen flagship Primrose Shortly after voyage began admitted select group advisors together Christopher Carleill Nichols Fenner. On the 20th of July 1588 Spanish Armada set sail Corunna Galicia escort Army Flanders led Duke Parma invade England Sir Francis Walsingham sent dispatch Whitehall stating Armada sighted chops entrance Channel that day.
When navies first engaged Frobisher commanded Triumph Royal Navy largest ship leading consort ships Merchant Royal Margaret John Centurion Golden Lion Mary Rose Following council war Lord Howard reorganized English fleet four squadrons made commander one assigned Triumph Lord Sheffield White Bear Lord Thomas Howard Golden Lion Sir Robert Southwell Elizabeth Jonas all heavily armed vessels.
Morning the 21st of July 1588 Frobisher Triumph Drake Revenge Hawkins attacked seaward wing Spanish defensive formation damaging San Juan Portugal ship Armada vice-admiral Juan Martínez de Recalde forcing rescue galleasses Bizcayan squadron Later day Frobisher Hawkins engaged Pedro Valdez commander Andalusian squadron yielding ship Nuestra Señora del Rosario Our Lady Rosary until Drake came assistance next morning much consternation rival Frobisher.
Three days later English fleet reinforced Lord Seymour channel patrol thirty-five forty sail assuming command newly formed squadron close inshore dawn the 25th of July 1588 only landwards Armada morning sea dead calm engaging Duke Medina Sidonia flagship San Martín giving pummeling like few days past breeze rose southwest allowing several Spanish galleons move saving flagship other English ships withdrew time Triumph caught lee shore off Dunnose cape Isle Wight more than thirty Armada ships bearing down him using boats manoeuvre Triumph good effect managing escape wind shifted again weather gage.
Frobisher knighted valour the 26th of July 1588 Lord Howard aboard Howard's flagship Ark Royal alongside Sheffield Thomas Howard Hawkins Two days later English launched eight fire ships midst Armada moorings forcing captains cut anchors decisive action fought the 29th of July 1588 shoals off Gravelines where Frobisher Drake Hawkins pounded Spanish ships guns. Drake Revenge gave Medina Sidonia flagship San Martin full broadside while Thomas Fenner Nonpareil followed example rest Drake's squadron doing same even so San Martin sustained major damage though men suffered heavy casualties. Drake withdrew north-east squadron line astern Revenge engaged other Spanish ships nearby passing. Frobisher directly behind staying San Martin close range pouring cannon shot oaken flanks failing take her Five Spanish ships lost.
Following defeat Spanish fleet Revenge engaged harassing Spanish shipping it was Frobisher's flagship 1590 commanding efforts intercepting Spanish treasure galleons In September 1594 led squadron ships besieging Morlaix forcing surrender following month engaged squadron siege relief Brest receiving gunshot wound thigh during Siege Fort Crozon Spanish-held fortress surgeon extracting ball left wadding behind ensuing infection resulting death days later Plymouth the 22nd of November heart buried St Andrew's Church Plymouth body then taken London buried St Giles-without-Cripplegate Fore Street.
Britain destroyer named HMS Frobisher construction named when launched 1915 scrapped 1921 Royal Navy named after him ordered 1915 scrapped 1949 SR Lord Nelson class steam locomotive named after him Frobisher Crescent part Barbican Estate London named after him stained glass window placed memory located All Saints' Church Normanton near birthplace Altofts West Yorkshire.
Canada Frobisher Bay Nunavut named after him former name Nunavut capital Iqaluit from 1942 until 1987 city airport Frobisher Bay Air Base 1942 to 1963 Frobisher Bay Airport 1963 to 1987 renamed Iqaluit Airport early version Thanksgiving celebrated safe landing Frobisher fleet Newfoundland unsuccessful attempt finding North-west Passage shrub rose named Martin Frobisher small settlement Frobisher Saskatchewan Frobisher Lake northern southern Saskatchewan respectively popular culture minor character The Sea Hawk played Robert Warwick.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When was Martin Frobisher born and who were his parents?
Martin Frobisher was probably born in 1535 or 1536 to merchant Bernard Frobisher and Margaret York. His father died prematurely in 1542 leaving the family to be cared for by his uncle Francis Frobisher.
What happened during Martin Frobisher's first expedition to West Africa in 1553?
Thomas Wyndham led England's first expedition to West Africa with three ships and 140 men including Martin Frobisher. The group plundered Portuguese ships near Madeira and traded English cloth for 150 pounds of gold on the Gold Coast before disease killed many including leader Wyndham.
How did Martin Frobisher get imprisoned in Portugal and when was he released?
Frobisher volunteered as a hostage during negotiations near Cestos River in present-day Liberia and was handed over to Portuguese traders at Mina. He remained imprisoned in São Jorge da Mina castle for nine months before making his way back to England around 1558.
Why did Martin Frobisher search for the Northwest Passage starting in 1576?
Martin Frobisher petitioned the Privy Council in 1574 requesting permission and financial support to find a north-west passage to the Southern Sea or Pacific Ocean then thence to Cathay. He persuaded the Muscovy Company to license his expedition in 1576 with help from director Michael Lok raising capital for three barques.
What role did Martin Frobisher play in the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588?
On the 21st of July 1588 Martin Frobisher commanded Triumph which was the Royal Navy's largest ship leading consort ships against the Spanish defensive formation. He engaged Pedro Valdez commander Andalusian squadron yielding ship Nuestra Señora del Rosario until Drake came assistance next morning.
When and where did Martin Frobisher die after being wounded during the Siege Fort Crozon?
Frobisher received a gunshot wound to the thigh during the Siege Fort Crozon in September 1594 resulting in death days later at Plymouth on the 22nd of November 1594. His body was buried in St Andrew's Church Plymouth before being taken to London to be buried in St Giles-without-Cripplegate Fore Street.