Sir Francis Drake Research Paper

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Pages: 4

Sir Francis Drake was an incredibly influential and powerful figure for the English during the Elizabethan age. Drake had done everything from becoming an admiral for the English to circumnavigating the globe in his mid 40s. Accomplishing just about everything a seafarer could dream of, Drake left a resonating legacy that will be remembered for years to come. However, his upbringing was not as opulent. He was born in England and grew up among relatives in Plymouth, enlisted in a family fleet at 18, and narrowly survived attacks on his fleet and voyages. Drake’s life was shaped by a complex interplay of social powers, economic prosperity, and political factors (Britannica). Drake was born in the early 1540s in Devonshire, England as the son …show more content…
As explained earlier, Hawkins helped get Drake into maritime monopolization and develop the skills necessary for commanding a ship. Queen Elizabeth hired Drake and knighted him aboard the Golden Hind allowing him to fight against Spanish ships, defend England during the Spanish Armada, and ultimately solidify his already-created reputation as a legendary hero, knight, and captain. The celebration of Drake and his feats in England was strongly regarded by the Spanish and instilled the picture of Drake being strong and unstoppable to the point where they referred to him as “El Draque” or “The Dragon.” The dominance that Drake elicited circumnavigated the world and made him a significant figure in the eyes of both allies and foes. Sir Walter Raleigh is never explicitly said to have met or been in alliance with Drake, but as a contemporary and another largely influential character it’s likely that they had known each other. Drake was able to resolutely contest the Spanish forces due to the privateer’s commission granted by Queen Elizabeth. He ended up raiding Spanish ports with the capture of port Nombre de Dios in 1572, crossing the Isthmus of Panama, and reaching the Pacific ocean for