Page 80 - All About History 55 - 2017 UK

HERO
HERO

OR
VILLAIN?
VILLAIN?

Sir Francis

Drake

This skilled and determined navigator was an
English hero, but to the Spanish he was a savage

and brutal demon

Written by Frances White
ysentery was a rather unceremonious way against Spanish law and they found themselves
for the hero of countless sea skirmishes trapped in a Mexican port by Spanish forces.
to die. Aged 55, Sir Francis Drake was still The attack was quick and brutal, with only Drake
relentlessly pursuing his lifelong enemy but and Hawkins able to escape. To some, this was
Dthe aging privateer succumbed to the grisly just — after all, Drake was selling slaves and should
disease anchored off the coast of Panama. have been prepared for Spain’s response. But there
To the English, his death was the loss of a hero, are stories that the Spanish promised Drake they
a beacon of English adventuring spirit who had wouldn’t attack and had then broken their word.
vanquished enemies and helped expand an empire. Either way, the event would have a profound effect
But the Spanish breathed a sigh of relief — ‘El on the young man, and one thing motivated his
Draque’, scourge of the seas, was finally gone. every action from then on: vengeance.
Drake’s beginnings did not indicate that he Revenge may seem an ungentlemanly catalyst,
would become such a monumental figure. Born but Drake wasn’t exactly alone in his anti-Spanish
circa 1540, he was the oldest of 12 children. At the sentiments. With a lust for power, England was
age of about 12 he became an apprentice on a trade trying to catch up with Spain’s exploration efforts.
ship. His skills must have impressed as his master The latter was already controlling the seas, creating
left him the vessel after his death. lucrative trade routes and benefiting from slavery.
Those years gave Drake a taste for adventure, Although on the surface the two countries were at
and his ambition led him to join his cousin, John peace, intense competition bubbled underneath.
Hawkins, on one of the first English slaving Domination meant only one nation could win, and
voyages. Commanding his own boat, Drake sailed a clash was inevitable to decide which it would be.
to Africa to pick up their cargo, then headed to Elizabeth I certainly understood that the Spanish
New Spain to sell the slaves on. However, this was were anything but friends. In 1572, she enlisted
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