NAME Francis Drake
WHAT FAMOUS FOR Francis Drake was an English sea captain, privateer, naval officer, and explorer. He is best known for leading the second successful circumnavigation of the globe (1577–1580) and for his role in defeating the Spanish Armada in 1588.
BIRTH Francis Drake was born around 1540 at Crowndale Farm, near Tavistock, Devon.
FAMILY BACKGROUND He was the oldest of twelve sons born to Reverend Edmund Drake, and his wife Mary Mylwaye. Edmund Drake was a tenant farmer and a Puritan cleric.
CHILDHOOD The Drake family lived in poverty during Francis's childhood3. When Francis was about 8 or 9 years old, the family fled from Devon to Kent due to religious persecution during the Prayer Book Rebellion of 1549. There, his father ministered to sailors while the family lived in a leaky, cut-down ship. This unusual upbringing gave young Francis early experience in handling estuaries and coastal navigation.
EDUCATION Drake received a practical education in seamanship. His father arranged for him to be apprenticed to a neighbor, the master of a barque engaged in coastal trade with France. His skill and dedication impressed his master so much that, upon his death, he left the ship to Drake.
CAREER RECORD Apprenticed to a master of a coasting vessel who left him his ship at his death.
1567 Given first command on the "Judith" part of a squadron of vessels on an ill-fated slave trading voyage in the Gulf of Mexico.
1570-71 Two trading voyages to the West Indies.
1572 Commanded two vessels in marauding expedition against Spanish ports in the Caribbean Sea.
1573-76 Sent to Ireland to quell rebellion.
1577-80 Sailed round the world
1581 Mayor of Plymouth
1584-85 Represented Bosinney in parliament.
1585 Made more raids against Spanish settlements in the West Indies
1588 Vice admiral of the English fleet that defeated the Spanish Armada.
1589-95 Returned to Parliament
1595 Sent on another expedition against the Spanish forces in the West Indies.
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| Marcus Gheeraerts Francis Drake 1591 |
FASHION Drake's appearance was further enhanced by his fashionable attire. Portraits reveal him clad in elegant clothing typical of his era. He often wore a pale-colored satin doublet with slashed sleeves, combined with a bright red cape, jerkin, and hose. A lace ruff typically adorned his neck. The use of expensive dyes, such as cochineal for his red garments, underscored Drake's wealth and social standing.
CHARACTER Drake was bold, ambitious, and fiercely determined. He was known for his leadership skills, tactical brilliance, and ruthless approach to naval warfare. He was also deeply religious, seeing his battles against Spain as part of a divine mission.
The ruthless commander was known to the Spanish as "El Draque" (The Dragon).
SPEAKING VOICE Drake’s voice was reported to be strong and authoritative, well-suited to command. His ability to inspire loyalty among his men played a significant role in his success.
Sir Francis Drake was noted at the Court of Queen Elizabeth for his strong Devon accent.
SENSE OF HUMOUR Drake was known for his wit and charm, qualities that made him both an effective leader and a captivating figure at court. He enjoyed playing practical jokes on his crew and was known to jest even in the face of danger. One legend claims that while playing a game of bowls on Plymouth Hoe in 1588, he remarked that there was plenty of time to finish before setting sail to fight the Spanish Armada.
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| Drake informed about the approach of the Armada By Lobsterthermidor at en.wikipedia |
RELATIONSHIPS Francis Drake married Mary Newman on July 4, 1569, at St Budeaux Church near Plymouth147. Mary was about 17 years old at the time, while Drake was 24. The marriage took place shortly after Drake returned from a disastrous voyage to Mexico.
The pattern of their marriage was set early on, with Drake frequently away at sea. Mary often stayed with her parents in Saltash while Drake was on his voyages. Despite Drake's long absences, the couple grew increasingly wealthy due to his successful privateering activities.
The marriage lasted about 12 years, until Mary's death in January 1583. Drake and Mary did not have any children.
Francis Drake married Elizabeth Sydenham on June 18, 1583, just six months after losing his first wife. The wedding took place at Monksilver Church, which is located about half a mile north of Combe Sydenham Hall in Somerset, England. The ceremony was performed by Mr. Barret, Archdeacon of Exeter. Drake was in his early forties at the time, while Elizabeth was about 20 years old12.
Elizabeth was the only child and heiress of Sir George Sydenham, a wealthy landowner and Justice of the Peace. Drake's marriage to Elizabeth elevated his social standing, but they had no children.
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| Elizabeth Sydenham Lady Drake by Georg Gower |
MONEY AND FAME Drake became one of the wealthiest men in England after circumnavigating the globe (1577–1580), capturing Spanish treasure along the way. Queen Elizabeth I personally knighted him in 1581 aboard the Golden Hind, cementing his fame. However, his wealth made him a target for Spanish hostility, and King Philip II of Spain allegedly placed a bounty on his head.
FOOD AND DRINK Francis Drake's crew, particularly during his historic circumnavigation, enjoyed a more diverse diet than most sailors of the 16th century. While staples like ship's biscuit (hardtack), beer, and salted meats (beef and pork) formed the foundation of their meals, Drake prioritized procuring fresh provisions at every landfall. This resulted in a significantly expanded menu.
Their diet included a variety of fruits and vegetables, such as citrus fruits, figs, grapes, coconuts, plantains, and lemons, along with various herbs. Protein sources were also diverse, ranging from fish and goats to wild hens, seals, elk, sea birds, and even large crayfish. At different stops, they acquired local foods like squaw potato (a vital source of vitamin C), sago meal (rich in ascorbic acid), and spices such as nutmeg, ginger, and long pepper, as well as rice. While beer was their primary beverage, Drake also stocked wine, brandy, and rum.
Drake's concern for his men's health was evident in his consistent efforts to secure fresh supplies. This varied diet, particularly the inclusion of vitamin C-rich foods, likely played a crucial role in preventing scurvy, a common scourge of long sea voyages. Compared to the typical sailor's rations of primarily salted meat, ship's biscuit, and beer, Drake's crew enjoyed a far richer and more nutritious menu, featuring tropical fruits, diverse fish, and even unusual meats like penguins and seals. This attention to diet, combined with Drake's proactive approach to resupplying, contributed significantly to the relatively good health of his crew throughout their arduous circumnavigation.
On board the Golden Hind in the Pacific, Drake ate from “silver dishes with gold borders and gilded garlands,” and enjoyed “all possible dainties and perfumed waters.” Violas were played as he took his meals.
Drake introduced potatoes to England from Colombia, but the English were initially wary of the strange tuber, dismissing it as unhealthy. He also brought back exotic spices and other New World crops, which intrigued the English aristocracy. (1)
MUSIC AND ARTS While Drake himself was not a musician, he traveled with painters on the Golden Hind who documented landscapes in great detail, possibly as navigational aids. Francisco de Zarate wrote that Drake had aboard The Golden Hind “painters who paint the landscape in its proper colors,” apparently making a kind of picture-book cartographic record that Drake or other mariners could follow around South America.
Drake himself sometimes embellished his log with pictures of sea lions, birds, and trees. (2)
LITERATURE A deeply religious man, Drake carried Foxe’s Book of Martyrs with him on his voyages, a text detailing Protestant suffering under Catholic rule. This book reinforced his belief that he was waging a holy war against Spain.
NATURE Drake was an observant sailor with a fascination for the natural world. His logs included sketches of sea lions, exotic birds, and unfamiliar plant species encountered on his travels. He also studied the winds and currents, using this knowledge to his advantage in navigation.
PETS It was common for ships in Drake's era to carry animals, including dogs and parrots, as mascots or companions.
HOBBIES AND SPORTS Aside from his naval pursuits, Drake enjoyed the gentlemanly pastime of bowls. The famous story of him finishing a game before facing the Spanish Armada demonstrates both his composure and love for leisure.
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| Drake informed about the approach of the Armada By Lobsterthermidor at Wikipedia |
SCIENCE AND MATHS Drake’s circumnavigation of the globe was not just a feat of seamanship but also one of mathematics and astronomy. He relied on advanced navigational techniques, using instruments such as the astrolabe to chart his course across the oceans.
PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY The Protestant Francis Drake's religious fervor was a driving force in his life and voyages. Evidence of this deep faith can be seen in his actions, such as conducting Protestant services in San Francisco Bay during his circumnavigation—considered the first such services in America.
This religious dimension was also evident in the broader context of the Anglo-Spanish rivalry. While Philip II of Spain sought divine intervention for his Armada, complete with a papal license to depose Queen Elizabeth I, whom he termed "The Dragon of Heresy," and a fleet carrying 600 priests and monks with strict moral codes for the sailors and soldiers, the English, too, believed they had God on their side, along with superior ships.
Drake's personal faith was particularly intense. Raised with a profound aversion to Roman Catholicism, he saw himself as a righteous counter to what he perceived as Spanish wickedness. Onboard the Golden Hind in 1579, he demonstrated this conviction by holding daily prayer services and even occasionally delivering sermons to his crew.
POLITICS Drake was an influential figure in Elizabethan England, serving as Mayor of Plymouth in 1581. He also sat in Parliament multiple times, including as an MP for Bossiney in 1584 and Plymouth in 1593. Though primarily a naval figure, he played a role in shaping England’s military and colonial policies.
SCANDAL Francis Drake was considered a pirate by the Spanish, who offered a hefty reward of 20,000 ducats for his life, a sum worth approximately £4,000,000 ($6.5 million) in today's money. His exploits were viewed as scandalous by Spain, who saw his actions as attacks on their empire and treasure fleets.
Fancis Drake was involved in the massacre of approximately 600 people on Rathlin Island off the Antrim Coast in July 1575, despite their surrender. This event is considered one of the most brutal episodes in the conflict between English forces and the Scottish and Irish inhabitants of the region during the 16th centuy.
MILITARY RECORD The name "El Draque," the Spanish bogeyman, remained a chilling threat for naughty children well into the late 19th century. This enduring fear stemmed from the real-life exploits of Francis Drake. His history of conflict with Spain began in 1567 and 1572, accompanying Sir John Hawkins on plundering expeditions in the Spanish Main. From these experiences onward, Drake was firmly established as a Spanish adversary.
Forewarned of rumors regarding a planned Spanish invasion of England, Drake took preemptive action. In a bold move, he raided Cadiz on April 29, 1587, burning over 30 ships and 10,000 tons of shipping, effectively delaying the Armada's launch by a year. This daring raid prompted his famous quip, "I have singed the Spanish King's beard." His circumnavigation of the globe further cemented his reputation, including the capture of a Spanish treasure ship and the suppression of a mutiny in Patagonia.
When the Spanish Armada finally arrived, Drake served as second-in-command to Lord Howard of Effingham. The English fleet, with its superior maneuverability and tactics, decimated the Spanish Armada, losing no ships while the Spanish lost roughly half of their 130 vessels. The Armada's misfortune was compounded by a severe storm in the English Channel, which proved disastrous for the Spanish fleet.
Picture below shows Admiral Pedro de Valdés surrendering his sword to Francis Drake aboard Revenge during the attack of the Spanish Armada, 1588. Oil on canvas by John Seymour Lucas (1889)
Later, commanding 150 ships and 18,000 men, Drake attacked and nearly destroyed the Spanish port of La Coruna. His subsequent attempt to take Lisbon, however, was unsuccessful. Finally, in 1595, on his last expedition to the Caribbean with Hawkins, he captured Nombre de Dios on the north coast of Panama but failed to seize Panama City.
Drake's audacity extended to the Isthmus of Panama. In early 1572, with Queen Elizabeth's blessing, he recruited runaway slaves to attack a gold-laden mule train, returning to England with a substantial treasure.
HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Francis Drake maintained good health and fitness throughout much of his life, which was essential for his career as a sailor and explorer. However, like many sailors of his time, Drake eventually succumbed to disease. He died of dysentery at the age of about 56, during a failed expedition to Panama. This illness was a common affliction among sailors due to poor sanitation and limited access to clean water during long voyages.
Drake co-founded with Sir John Hawkins the Chatham Chest for disabled seamen, a charitable insurance scheme towards which each seaman contributed 6d per month. From this developed the Greenwich Hospital.
HOMES Drake was born in Tavistock, Devon, likely in a modest home befitting his family's status as farmers and shearmen.
In the early 1570s, Drake lived in Plymouth, probably in a substantial house on Looe Street. This property included a house and garden, which he later leased out.
After his successful circumnavigation voyage , Drake purchased Buckland Abbey in Devon in 1581. This Grade I listed 700-year-old house became his primary residence3. Drake bought the abbey using a fraction of the treasure from his voyage, making him one of the richest men in England5.
Buckland Abbey remained in the Drake family until 1946 when it was acquired by the National Trust. Today, it serves as a museum showcasing Drake's life and adventures, featuring artifacts such as a statue of Drake and a picture of his ship, The Golden Hind. The famous drum he left behind, which could be sounded in times of need, remains on display at the abbey today.
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| Buckland Abbey By Hpschaefer - Wikipedia |
TRAVEL Francis Drake's circumnavigation of the globe, though ultimately a resounding success, began as an unintended consequence. Setting sail in December 1577, his expedition was initially planned as a voyage to the Pacific. However, fate intervened when the Golden Hind (originally named the Pelican), a 75-foot vessel, became separated from the other ships in his fleet while rounding Cape Horn. One ship was lost, and another was forced to return to England, leaving Drake and the Golden Hind to continue the journey alone. Drake himself often navigated the treacherous waters around the cape in a small sailing boat, demonstrating his exceptional seamanship.
Pressing northward along the coasts of Chile and Peru, Drake eventually reached California. On June 17, 1579, he claimed San Francisco for England, naming it New Albion. The local Native Americans, believing the English to be divine beings, offered them their entire territory. Drake, accepting this symbolic gesture, formally claimed the land in Queen Elizabeth's name, marking the occasion by erecting a post with an engraved metal plate. Today, a National Park in San Francisco marks the approximate location where the Golden Hind anchored.
From New Albion, Drake steered southwest, rounding the Cape of Good Hope and finally reaching Portsmouth, England, in September 1580. His triumphant return was marked by Queen Elizabeth I knighting him aboard the Golden Hind at Deptford. Undoubtedly, the substantial treasure he brought back, valued at approximately £1 million, played a significant role in the Queen's decision.
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| Francis Drake in the Strait of Magellan by Thomas Somerscales |
DEATH In 1596, Drake fell ill with yellow fever and dysentery during his final expedition to the West Indies. In his delirium, he insisted on dressing in his armor, wanting to die like a warrior. He passed away soon after on January 27, 1596. His body was placed in a lead coffin and dropped into the sea off Portobelo. Panama. His passing marked the end of an era for England’s most famous privateer.
APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Drake has been depicted in various films, books, and television series, often portrayed as a heroic explorer and pirate. His famous circumnavigation and his attacks on Spanish possessions continue to capture the imagination of audiences around the world.
1. Literature
The Famous Voyage of Sir Francis Drake (1589) – One of the earliest accounts of his journey, written by Richard Hakluyt.
"Drake’s Drum" (1897, poem by Henry Newbolt) – A famous English patriotic poem about his legend, suggesting he will return to defend England in times of need.
Historical novels – Various authors, including C.S. Forester (The Earthly Paradise) and George Malcolm Thomson (Sir Francis Drake), have fictionalized his adventures.
2. Film & Television
Drake of England (1935, film) – A British historical drama featuring Drake’s role in the Spanish Armada.
Sir Francis Drake (1961–62, TV series) – A British series starring Terence Morgan as Drake, focusing on his naval exploits.
Seven Seas to Calais (1962, film) – Rod Taylor portrays Francis Drake. Queen Elizabeth I tells him, "No man has ever saved the Queen more truly than you."
Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007, film) – Though not a major character, Drake is depicted as part of Queen Elizabeth I’s defense against Spain.
Documentaries – Numerous history documentaries, such as BBC's Armada: 12 Days to Save England, have explored his life.
ACHIEVEMENTS First Englishman to circumnavigate the globe.
Played a crucial role in the defeat of the Spanish Armada.
Raided Spanish possessions and disrupted their trade routes, contributing to England's rise as a naval power.
Brought immense wealth and prestige to England.
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