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[[Image:Drake.jpg|right|thumb|Francis Drake]]

[[Image:Drake.jpg|right|thumb|Francis Drake]]

'''Francis Drake''' (c1542-1596), [[English]] seaman, trader, pirate, politician and circumnavigator, was born near Tavistock, a town in [[Devon]] on the western edge of Dartmoor, about 19km (12miles) north of [[Plymouth]]. His father, Edmund, a prosperous shearer, had become a priest but the identity of his mother is uncertain. The ban on clerical marriage during this time of the reign of the [[Catholic]] [[Mary I]] almost certainly means that Francis was born illegitimate.

'''Francis Drake''' (c1542-1596), [[English]] seaman, trader, pirate, politician and circumnavigator, was born near Tavistock, a town in [[Devon]] on the western edge of Dartmoor, about 19 km (12miles) north of [[Plymouth]]. His father, Edmund, a prosperous shearer, had become a priest but the identity of his mother is uncertain. The ban on clerical marriage during this time of the reign of the [[Catholic]] [[Mary I]] almost certainly means that Francis was born illegitimate.

He was a cousin of [[John Hawkins]] and it was in the Plymouth household  of John’s father, a prosperous merchant and occasional pirate, that  he grew up and in whose ships he learnt both his nautical skills and trading acumen.

He was a cousin of [[John Hawkins]] and it was in the Plymouth household  of John’s father, a prosperous merchant and occasional pirate, that  he grew up and in whose ships he learnt both his nautical skills and trading acumen.

Through the 1560s he participated in slave trading voyages to [[ Africa]] and by 1567 had been given his first command – of the ''Judith'' in one of John Hawkins’ three sided  voyages to Africa, the [[Caribbean Sea|Caribbean]] and back to England. The enterprise was to end in rancour between the two men when, after a fight with the [[Spain|Spaniards]], Drake sailed home in the undamaged ''Judith'', leaving Hawkins to an uncertain fate. Over the next few years  Drake was to visit the Caribbean  at various times – by now piracy seemed to be more important than trade – and whilst he was not always successful, his reputation grew, both at home and with the Spaniards who had begun calling him ''El Draque''. (The Dragon.)

Through the 1560s he participated in slave trading voyages to [[Africa]] and by 1567 had been given his first command – of the ''Judith'' in one of John Hawkins’ three sided  voyages to Africa, the [[Caribbean Sea|Caribbean]] and back to England. The enterprise was to end in rancour between the two men when, after a fight with the [[Spain|Spaniards]], Drake sailed home in the undamaged ''Judith'', leaving Hawkins to an uncertain fate. Over the next few years  Drake was to visit the Caribbean  at various times – by now piracy seemed to be more important than trade – and whilst he was not always successful, his reputation grew, both at home and with the Spaniards who had begun calling him ''El Draque''. (The Dragon.)

He seemed the obvious man to be chosen to lead an expedition to harry and plunder Spain’s relatively undefended  [[ America]]n  [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] flank, with the added possibility of finding the western end of the [[Northwest Passage]]. The high possibility of great profit from the silver-rich Spanish dominions meant that many of the high and powerful in England, including (secretly)  [[Elizabeth I]] herself had invested in the enterprise.

He seemed the obvious man to be chosen to lead an expedition to harry and plunder Spain’s relatively undefended  [[America]]n  [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] flank, with the added possibility of finding the western end of the [[Northwest Passage]]. The high possibility of great profit from the silver-rich Spanish dominions meant that many of the high and powerful in England, including (secretly)  [[Elizabeth I]] herself had invested in the enterprise.

Five ships left Plymouth in December 1577. Before they had reached the [[Cape Verde Islands]] they had captured several [[ Portugal|Portuguese]] ships, taking booty and what provisions they thought necessary, had swapped one of their smaller vessels for a much larger Portuguese ship and had kidnapped its Portuguese captain, a man with knowledge of South American waters. They reached [[Brazil]] in early April and, some weeks later, they arrived at  San Julian Bay in [[Patagonia]] where, like [[Magellan]] before him, he wintered. (And where, like Magellan, he was faced with mutiny that ended in the execution of a second-in-command.)

Five ships left Plymouth in December 1577. Before they had reached the [[Cape Verde Islands]] they had captured several [[Portugal|Portuguese]] ships, taking booty and what provisions they thought necessary, had swapped one of their smaller vessels for a much larger Portuguese ship and had kidnapped its Portuguese captain, a man with knowledge of South American waters. They reached [[Brazil]] in early April and, some weeks later, they arrived at  San Julian Bay in [[Patagonia]] where, like [[Magellan]] before him, he wintered. (And where, like Magellan, he was faced with mutiny that ended in the execution of a second-in-command.)

With winter over and with the fleet now down to three ships, they entered the [[Straits of Magellan]]. They passed through in only a fortnight; but three days into the Pacific a storm hit which sank one ship and separated the other two. In the three weeks of the gale, Drake was blown southeast into what is now known as Drake Passage  between [[Cape Horn]] and the South Shetland Islands of [[Antarctica]].

With winter over and with the fleet now down to three ships, they entered the [[Straits of Magellan]]. They passed through in only a fortnight; but three days into the Pacific a storm hit which sank one ship and separated the other two. In the three weeks of the gale, Drake was blown southeast into what is now known as Drake Passage  between [[Cape Horn]] and the South Shetland Islands of [[Antarctica]].

He also came across a “treasure ship” which he relieved of 13 chests of pieces of eight, 26 tons of silver, 80 pounds’ weight in gold plus various items of plate and jewellery. The Golden Hind was bursting - it had gold bullion for ballast.

He also came across a “treasure ship” which he relieved of 13 chests of pieces of eight, 26 tons of silver, 80 pounds’ weight in gold plus various items of plate and jewellery. The Golden Hind was bursting - it had gold bullion for ballast.

An interesting point can be made here: although perhaps up to 20 English were killed during the raids, mostly from small arms fire, not one Spaniard died . Drake was proud of this. His men made a lot of noise and there was a lot of shot and shouting but (the shot at least) was all over the heads of the defenders or aimed at the rigging of the ships attacked. Even when he heard off the[[Peru|Peruvian]] coast that 16 [[Protestant]]s  (read Englishmen) had recently been burnt at the stake in [[Lima]] he refused to be unnecessarily violent .

An interesting point can be made here: although perhaps up to 20 English were killed during the raids, mostly from small arms fire, not one Spaniard died . Drake was proud of this. His men made a lot of noise and there was a lot of shot and shouting but (the shot at least) was all over the heads of the defenders or aimed at the rigging of the ships attacked. Even when he heard off the[[Peru]]vian coast that 16 [[Protestant]]s  (read Englishmen) had recently been burnt at the stake in [[Lima]] he refused to be unnecessarily violent .

Drake chose to go home via the [[East Indies]], and across the [[Indian Ocean]]. Before he did, he went ashore at a place somewhere near modern [[San Francisco]], (probably modern Drake’s Bay) emptied the ship and cleaned and prepared it for the voyage ahead. He reached the Moluccas in about three months, struck a treaty of trade and mutual defence against the Portuguese with a local [[Islamic]] ruler, managed to find room for 6 tons of cloves (half of which, along with various armaments and other weighty non-bullion items, he was forced to jettison when the Golden Hind lodged on a reef shortly after.)  

Drake chose to go home via the [[East Indies]], and across the [[Indian Ocean]]. Before he did, he went ashore at a place somewhere near modern [[San Francisco]], (probably modern Drake’s Bay) emptied the ship and cleaned and prepared it for the voyage ahead. He reached the Moluccas in about three months, struck a treaty of trade and mutual defence against the Portuguese with a local [[Islamic]] ruler, managed to find room for 6 tons of cloves (half of which, along with various armaments and other weighty non-bullion items, he was forced to jettison when the Golden Hind lodged on a reef shortly after.)  

He next headed for the [[Azores]] where he captured a Portuguese [[carrack]] carrying a thousand pounds of silver (approximately 4 million pounds sterling today.) This dent in the finances of the Spanish king, together with the damage in Cadiz, put back the Armada until the next sailing season.

He next headed for the [[Azores]] where he captured a Portuguese [[carrack]] carrying a thousand pounds of silver (approximately 4 million pounds sterling today.) This dent in the finances of the Spanish king, together with the damage in Cadiz, put back the Armada until the next sailing season.

Drake was made second-in-command of the English fleet preparing to meet the Armada. In charge was Charles Howard of Effingham, Elizabeth’s high-admiral since 1585. A competent and aggressive commander, he agreed with Drake that the English should make every effort to meet the Spaniards in their own ports – an attempt to repeat the success of Cadiz. Weather was against them, though and they were blown back to the waters at the head of the [[English Channel]] where the Armada arrived on 29th July. Fighting began two days later and was to continue until 6th July when the Spanish fleet dropped anchor off [[Calais]]. Harried ceaselessly by Drake and the rest of the English fleet, shepherded away from any opportunity to land on the English coast and bombarded constantly even as it lay at anchor in the Calais broads, it nevertheless remained intact. Their only losses were due to accidents on the first day of battle (from which Drake had benefited the following night when he took the stricken ships, the Rosario, as prize  - he would ransom its captain for 3000 pounds.)

Drake was made second-in-command of the English fleet preparing to meet the Armada. In charge was Charles Howard of Effingham, Elizabeth’s high-admiral since 1585. A competent and aggressive commander, he agreed with Drake that the English should make every effort to meet the Spaniards in their own ports – an attempt to repeat the success of Cadiz. Weather was against them, though and they were blown back to the waters at the head of the [[English Channel]] where the Armada arrived on 29 July. Fighting began two days later and was to continue until 6 July when the Spanish fleet dropped anchor off [[Calais]]. Harried ceaselessly by Drake and the rest of the English fleet, shepherded away from any opportunity to land on the English coast and bombarded constantly even as it lay at anchor in the Calais broads, it nevertheless remained intact. Their only losses were due to accidents on the first day of battle (from which Drake had benefited the following night when he took the stricken ships, the Rosario, as prize  - he would ransom its captain for 3000 pounds.)

In Cadiz Bay the year before,  the Spaniards had used [[fireship]]s against the English. Drake had had no problem in the light airs of that day averting the danger by using his ships’ boats to push the flaming vessels to either side of his ships and letting them burn out across the harbour. The situation was different off the French coast with the wind and the currents pushing towards the shore and the Spanish ships, nearly 130 of them packed and at anchor – Drake had eight vessels packed with flammable materials and loaded canon that would fire when the flames reached their breaches. They were not set alight until they were about ten minutes out from the Spanish fleet. Panic ensued as the Spaniards cut their anchor-ropes and made out to sea whichever way they could  

In Cadiz Bay the year before,  the Spaniards had used [[fireship]]s against the English. Drake had had no problem in the light airs of that day averting the danger by using his ships’ boats to push the flaming vessels to either side of his ships and letting them burn out across the harbour. The situation was different off the French coast with the wind and the currents pushing towards the shore and the Spanish ships, nearly 130 of them packed and at anchor – Drake had eight vessels packed with flammable materials and loaded canon that would fire when the flames reached their breaches. They were not set alight until they were about ten minutes out from the Spanish fleet. Panic ensued as the Spaniards cut their anchor-ropes and made out to sea whichever way they could  

Drake did well out of the Armada. His share of the prize money for the Rosario alone enabled him to buy the lease of a fine house in London. He however, as well as others, was not satisfied with the damage inflicted on the Spaniards. While superior English seamanship and gunnery had kept the enemy from gaining its goal he felt more could have been done, even by himself. He even wrote to the Queen implying this. And he and other senior captains admitted surprise at the Spanish determination and courage. Drake gained permission to plan and mount a counter-attack.   

Drake did well out of the Armada. His share of the prize money for the Rosario alone enabled him to buy the lease of a fine house in London. He however, as well as others, was not satisfied with the damage inflicted on the Spaniards. While superior English seamanship and gunnery had kept the enemy from gaining its goal he felt more could have been done, even by himself. He even wrote to the Queen implying this. And he and other senior captains admitted surprise at the Spanish determination and courage. Drake gained permission to plan and mount a counter-attack.   

A private stock company was created with Elizabeth the major shareholder. Drake and Sir John Norreys, a distinguished and successful soldier, were to lead a major expedition, the main aim of which was the capture of [[Lisbon], the capital of Portugal which, since 1580, had been under the Crown of Spain.  It was thought that the Portuguese, many of whom hated Spain, would assist them once they arrived, but the prince the English wanted to install on the Portuguese throne was extremely unpopular so they found themselves on their own. They failed to take Lisbon, weather forced them to abandon raids further south and sickness was rife in the fleet. The adventure was a financial success, mainly because of the amount of shipping captured, but, at least by Drake’s standards, not so much as to weigh against the heavy loss of life and the failure to carry out their stated objectives.

A private stock company was created with Elizabeth the major shareholder. Drake and Sir John Norreys, a distinguished and successful soldier, were to lead a major expedition, the main aim of which was the capture of [[Lisbon]], the capital of Portugal which, since 1580, had been under the Crown of Spain.  It was thought that the Portuguese, many of whom hated Spain, would assist them once they arrived, but the prince the English wanted to install on the Portuguese throne was extremely unpopular so they found themselves on their own. They failed to take Lisbon, weather forced them to abandon raids further south and sickness was rife in the fleet. The adventure was a financial success, mainly because of the amount of shipping captured, but, at least by Drake’s standards, not so much as to weigh against the heavy loss of life and the failure to carry out their stated objectives.

For the next few years, while others were earning themselves glory (and keeping the Queen’s finances afloat – a major component of England’s imports during these years consisted of booty from Spanish shipping and ports.) Drake stayed at home or in London and did his civic duty. He spoke often in Parliament, he organised and partly financed major improvements to Plymouth’s water supply and saw to the strengthening of the town’s defences. During those same years Spain was learning from the debacle of the Armada. It designed better ships. It organised swifter communications between [[Iberian Peninsula|Iberia]] and the Caribbean. It reinforced the defences of its American ports. So, that when Francis Drake and John Hawkins started pestering the Queen in 1594 to let them loose on Spanish possessions in the Caribbean they were unaware of what awaited them.

For the next few years, while others were earning themselves glory (and keeping the Queen’s finances afloat – a major component of England’s imports during these years consisted of booty from Spanish shipping and ports.) Drake stayed at home or in London and did his civic duty. He spoke often in Parliament, he organised and partly financed major improvements to Plymouth’s water supply and saw to the strengthening of the town’s defences. During those same years Spain was learning from the debacle of the Armada. It designed better ships. It organised swifter communications between [[Iberian Peninsula|Iberia]] and the Caribbean. It reinforced the defences of its American ports. So, that when Francis Drake and John Hawkins started pestering the Queen in 1594 to let them loose on Spanish possessions in the Caribbean they were unaware of what awaited them.

Two squadrons – a total of 27 ships – sailed from Plymouth for the West Indies in August 1595. The venture was ill-favoured from the start; a water-party was ambushed by locals in the Canaries and news of the fleet was rushed to the Indies.  They lost one of their ships to the Spaniards off Guadeloupe. A major blow was the death of Sir John Hawkins off [[Puerto Rico]]. The town of San Juan in Puerto Rico was well prepared for their arrival and able to resist them. The weather turned against them, slowing their progress towards the Isthmus of Panama and dysentery had started to sweep the fleet. The attack on Panama was a disaster, capped shortly after by the death from dysentery of Drake himself on 27th January 1596.   

Two squadrons – a total of 27 ships – sailed from Plymouth for the West Indies in August 1595. The venture was ill-favoured from the start; a water-party was ambushed by locals in the Canaries and news of the fleet was rushed to the Indies.  They lost one of their ships to the Spaniards off Guadeloupe. A major blow was the death of Sir John Hawkins off [[Puerto Rico]]. The town of San Juan in Puerto Rico was well prepared for their arrival and able to resist them. The weather turned against them, slowing their progress towards the Isthmus of Panama and dysentery had started to sweep the fleet. The attack on Panama was a disaster, capped shortly after by the death from dysentery of Drake himself on 27 January 1596.   

Drake was perhaps the greatest of the Elizabethan “sea-dogs” and the years have only increased his legendary status. He was certainly a superb leader of men, fearless in battle, a fine tactician and capable of confounding the enemy by the very daring of his actions. He was not as assured as a strategist however, and while loved by his men (and the yeoman folk of England) he could be disloyal to his fellow captains and was known to let greed get in the way of common purpose. The belief that “Drake defeated the Armada “ is completely wrong; as is the belief he introduced the potato to England.

Drake was perhaps the greatest of the Elizabethan “sea-dogs” and the years have only increased his legendary status. He was certainly a superb leader of men, fearless in battle, a fine tactician and capable of confounding the enemy by the very daring of his actions. He was not as assured as a strategist however, and while loved by his men (and the yeoman folk of England) he could be disloyal to his fellow captains and was known to let greed get in the way of common purpose. The belief that “Drake defeated the Armada “ is completely wrong; as is the belief he introduced the potato to England.

Lore has it that at the times of need Drake will return to confound the enemy if the drum that accompanied his circumnavigation and now resides in Buckland Abbey, the ex-monastery he bought on his return to Devon, is beaten. The last reports of it being heard were during the [[Dunkirk]] operation in 1940. The legend was put into poetry by Sir Henry Newbolt, and later set to music by [[Charles Villiers Stanford]]. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcVPwR0JeXA]]

Lore has it that at the times of need Drake will return to confound the enemy if the drum that accompanied his circumnavigation and now resides in Buckland Abbey, the ex-monastery he bought on his return to Devon, is beaten. The last reports of it being heard were during the [[Dunkirk]] operation in 1940. The legend was put into poetry by Sir Henry Newbolt, and later set to music by [[Charles Villiers Stanford]]. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcVPwR0JeXA]

:Drake he's in his hammock an' a thousand mile away,  

:Drake he's in his hammock an' a thousand mile away,