Sir Francis Drake

Sir Francis Drake was one of the great explorers of the Elizabethan age. Drake, along with several other explorers, enabled England to begin the colonisation process that led to the British Empire becoming so large. 

Sir Francis Drake fact file

Born: 1540, near Tavistock in Devon. Francis Drake was one of 12 children. Greatest achievement: Sir Francis Drake achieved many things. He was the first Englishman to sail around the world, sank much of the Spanish navy in the port of Cadiz (a very daring raid) and was vice admiral of the Fleet that defeated the Spanish Armada.  Famously linked with: The Golden Hind and defeating the Spanish Armada. Important Questions to ask: Was Drake a Pirate?  In a way yes. Drake attacked Spanish cargo ships and settlements with the intention of making money from this. This was done with permission of Queen Elizabeth I however: who made a lot of money from Drakes explorations.

A Brief timeline of Francis Drakes life and achievements. 1567 Part of Sir John Hawkins slave trading mission. 1570/71 Drake made two highly profitable journey's to  the West Indies. 1573-1576 part of the force that quelled the Irish rebellion. 1579-80 Drake sails around the world in the Golden Hind. the First Englishman to do so! 1581 Francis Drake is knighted by Queen Elizabeth.  1581 Sir Francis Drake becomes Mayor of Plymouth. 1584-1585 Member of parliament for Plymouth. 1585 Raids and destroys many Spanish settlements in the Caribbean. 1587 On the orders of Queen Elizabeth, Drake attacks, and destroys, the Spanish Fleet at Cadiz. 1588 Vice Admiral of the navy that destroyed the Spanish Armada. 1595 Sent to attack Spanish settlements in the West Indies. Drake dies of dysentery on the return journey after failing to capture Panama City.