Francis Drake

c. 1540-1596. English navigator, privateer, explorer and slave trader.

In 1567, he made his first slaving voyage, during which he got attacked by a Spanish squadron. At that time, he was commanded by John Hawkins, a well known British naval commander (Paige 20). Drake was also the first Englishman to navigate around the globe. In May 1578, he reached the Pacific Ocean on command of Queen Elizabeth I. On 26 September 1580, he circumnavigated the globe entirely with his flagship The Pelican.

Throughout Drake's life he got in conflict with the Spanish. In 1587, Drake attacked the Spanish fleet in Cardiz, and in 1588 he was promoted to Vice Admiral. In the same year he suceeded in defeating the Spanish Armada because of his genius tactical maneuvers. [Please elucidate. And please note that Drake alone did not defeat the Armada, there were some more sailors involved [not to mention God]]

In April 1581, Francis Drake was knighted by Queen Elizabeth for his achievements and his contribution for his country. The act of knighting Drake was carried out on command of Elizabeth I by a French nobleman on the Golden Hind, Drake's ship, which was formerly known as The Pelican (Paige 71).

Literature

“History - Sir Francis Drake.” BBC, https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/drake_francis.shtml.

Paige, Joy. Sir Francis Drake: Circumnavigator of the Globe and Privateer for Queen Elizabeth. The Rosen Publishing Group, 2003.

Johnson, Ben. “The Life of Sir Francis Drake.” Historic UK, https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/Sir-Francis-Drake/.