Francis Drake was known as an English hero because he was key to gaining much of England's riches and naval successes. Queen Elizabeth I enlisted Drake as a privateer to sail the Americas. Although Drake's ways were considered by some to be villainous and cruel, he still was considered vital to Elizabeth. One of Drake's achievements being that he and his second cousin, Richard Hawkins, led one of the first slavery trips to West Africa in 1567. At the time, slavery was illegal. Although it was considered ok if they were enslaved, non-protestants or criminals.
Drake was not very liked by the Spanish and he would attack Spanish vessels, take their treasure and would raid Spanish and Portuguese ports. He was known as ‘El Draque’ to the Spanish and people would offer a ton of money for Drake's