Sir Francis Drake
Sir Francis Drake was one of the most influential and outstanding explorers of all-time. His voyage around the world gave hope to others that wanted to take the journey around the world. Throughout his life he dealt with his tough job but in the end it was worth it. Drake was given the opportunity to travel the world by the English Throne. The voyage was set to begin in 1577 and end when he either returned or died. Drake was considered many different occupations by all different people. The Spanish believed him to be a pirate because he sided with the English, their enemy and the English considered him everything a captain could be. Along with sea captain he was a navigator, privateer and a slaver. Along the voyage Drake would realize many places that the world has never laid eyes on. His voyage from England all the way around South America to the Philippines and around the tip of Africa would be one of the most remarkable and life altering voyages the world has ever seen.
In the mid 1570’s the English sea captain was asked to do a favor for the throne. Since he was the best navigator they had they asked him to make a voyage around the world. Like many other countries already had, Drake accepted and was ready to set off in 1577. He departed from England and made his was journey down to the bottom tip of South America. He rounded the end and came up the coast of South America mostly by Chile. Drake followed the same path for North America as well as South by keeping close to the shoreline. When he reached around where present day Washington state is, Drake made a turn and headed for the Philippines. From there on he avoided colliding into the numerous small islands in a densely compacting area. After escaping the end tip of Asia, he headed for Africa where he would sail around the bottom tip of the South Africa. Drake then made his last big turn and headed up the coast of West Africa. After years and years of sailing Drake returned to country where he came from, England. His voyage ended in 1580. (Snead)
It didn’t take long for Drake to be recognized for his actions. In 1581 he was knighted by the Queen of England. Knighting is considered to be one of the highest respected rewards that an Englishmen could receive. When Drake was knighted he swore an oath that he had to follow. A couple of years after Drake had returned and became knighted; war broke out between England and Spain. Drake set off to New Spain with a bunch of soldiers to try to capture Spanish territories. Drake’s mission was successful and he winded up sacking Santo Domingo, Cartagena, and San Augustin in present day Florida. (Snead) While the war continued, in 1588 Drake became second in command against the Spanish Armada. “The only people ahead of him were Charles Howard and the Queen.” (Buckland)
His great successes in the war lead to his rivalry with the Spanish Armada. The king of Spain offered a great deal of money for Drake dead. It is estimated that it was approximately 6.5 in U.S. dollars. (Thompson) Although the Spanish never caught Drake he would eventually die. In 1596, Drake died at the age of 55 due to Dysentery. “Dysentery is a disease involving the inflammation of the lining of the large intestines.” (Simkin) At the time Drake was looking for treasure off the coasts of North and South America. Panama seemed to be a hotspot for the sunken ships that Drake was looking for. Drake died around Puerto Rico in 1596. Although Drake may be dead his legend will always survive. He is the greatest English explorer of all time and is credited for the circumnavigation of the new world for the English. His naval skills helped England defeat and capture most of the Spanish territories in the New World. Without Drake, the English would have a had a much harder time successfully winning the war. Who knows what the world could have ended up like if it wasn’t for Sir Francis Drake?
One of the most frequently asked questions about Sir Francis Drake is why did he go to the New World. Although nobody really knows the true answer, the correct response was because he was hired to. The queen suggested to him that he should travel the world and return with more info about what he saw. Although Drake did not stay in the world which he traveled he could have. If Drake would have stayed in South America he probably would have had a less chance of dying. He continued with his journey and returned home to England where he became a hero. Drake’s life was determined in the course of only a couple of years and by a couple of things. By taking the job he took his life in his hands and assuring himself as a great navigator. Drake’s decision to continue with his journey and not stop along the way made him a dedicated captain. This played a major role in why he became so well respected in the history of England. Lastly, by returning safely and not becoming a traitor Drake became knighted and was one of the man roles in the English-Spanish War.
Sir Francis Drake was one of the most influential and outstanding explorers of all-time. His voyage around the world gave hope to others that wanted to take the journey around the world. Throughout his life he dealt with his tough job but in the end it was worth it. Drake was given the opportunity to travel the world by the English Throne. The voyage was set to begin in 1577 and end when he either returned or died. Drake was considered many different occupations by all different people. The Spanish believed him to be a pirate because he sided with the English, their enemy and the English considered him everything a captain could be. Along with sea captain he was a navigator, privateer and a slaver. Along the voyage Drake would realize many places that the world has never laid eyes on. His voyage from England all the way around South America to the Philippines and around the tip of Africa would be one of the most remarkable and life altering voyages the world has ever seen.
In the mid 1570’s the English sea captain was asked to do a favor for the throne. Since he was the best navigator they had they asked him to make a voyage around the world. Like many other countries already had, Drake accepted and was ready to set off in 1577. He departed from England and made his was journey down to the bottom tip of South America. He rounded the end and came up the coast of South America mostly by Chile. Drake followed the same path for North America as well as South by keeping close to the shoreline. When he reached around where present day Washington state is, Drake made a turn and headed for the Philippines. From there on he avoided colliding into the numerous small islands in a densely compacting area. After escaping the end tip of Asia, he headed for Africa where he would sail around the bottom tip of the South Africa. Drake then made his last big turn and headed up the coast of West Africa. After years and years of sailing Drake returned to country where he came from, England. His voyage ended in 1580. (Snead)
It didn’t take long for Drake to be recognized for his actions. In 1581 he was knighted by the Queen of England. Knighting is considered to be one of the highest respected rewards that an Englishmen could receive. When Drake was knighted he swore an oath that he had to follow. A couple of years after Drake had returned and became knighted; war broke out between England and Spain. Drake set off to New Spain with a bunch of soldiers to try to capture Spanish territories. Drake’s mission was successful and he winded up sacking Santo Domingo, Cartagena, and San Augustin in present day Florida. (Snead) While the war continued, in 1588 Drake became second in command against the Spanish Armada. “The only people ahead of him were Charles Howard and the Queen.” (Buckland)
His great successes in the war lead to his rivalry with the Spanish Armada. The king of Spain offered a great deal of money for Drake dead. It is estimated that it was approximately 6.5 in U.S. dollars. (Thompson) Although the Spanish never caught Drake he would eventually die. In 1596, Drake died at the age of 55 due to Dysentery. “Dysentery is a disease involving the inflammation of the lining of the large intestines.” (Simkin) At the time Drake was looking for treasure off the coasts of North and South America. Panama seemed to be a hotspot for the sunken ships that Drake was looking for. Drake died around Puerto Rico in 1596. Although Drake may be dead his legend will always survive. He is the greatest English explorer of all time and is credited for the circumnavigation of the new world for the English. His naval skills helped England defeat and capture most of the Spanish territories in the New World. Without Drake, the English would have a had a much harder time successfully winning the war. Who knows what the world could have ended up like if it wasn’t for Sir Francis Drake?
One of the most frequently asked questions about Sir Francis Drake is why did he go to the New World. Although nobody really knows the true answer, the correct response was because he was hired to. The queen suggested to him that he should travel the world and return with more info about what he saw. Although Drake did not stay in the world which he traveled he could have. If Drake would have stayed in South America he probably would have had a less chance of dying. He continued with his journey and returned home to England where he became a hero. Drake’s life was determined in the course of only a couple of years and by a couple of things. By taking the job he took his life in his hands and assuring himself as a great navigator. Drake’s decision to continue with his journey and not stop along the way made him a dedicated captain. This played a major role in why he became so well respected in the history of England. Lastly, by returning safely and not becoming a traitor Drake became knighted and was one of the man roles in the English-Spanish War.
