Drake's Circumnavigation of the Globe

Historical Context Note

Litencyc Editors (Independent Scholar - Europe)
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Perhaps the most famous sailor of all time, Sir Francis Drake's circumnavigation of the globe has become common legend. Born circa 1540-43, Drake was the son of a staunchly Protestant yeoman farmer whose poverty drove him to sea at the age of 13, learning his trade in the difficult shoals and coastal passages of the North Sea. By the age of 23 he had become master of his own ship, but, related to John Hawkins, he enlisted in the fleet Hawkins was establishing to trade (and raid) in the West Indies. His skill as a navigator, courage in action, and hatred of the Spanish became renowned, especially amongst the financial backers of Hawkins' fleet. In 1572 Drake was rewarded with a privateering commission from the Queen (a licence to prey upon the Spanish), and he then served with the Earl…

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Citation: Editors, Litencyc. "Drake's Circumnavigation of the Globe". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 17 June 2005 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=294, accessed 19 March 2024.]

294 Drake's Circumnavigation of the Globe 2 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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