Sir Francis Drake
4/26/202654 min
Sir Francis Drake is most famous for his role in defeating the Armada of 1588 and saving England from a Spanish invasion. By that point in his life, he was already a wealthy and famous seafarer: the first Englishman to sail around the world, knighted by Queen Elizabeth I in recognition of this astounding feat. But though he is remembered in England as a naval hero, Drake spent most of his maritime career as a pirate, feared by the Spanish whose colonies and ships he terrorised. To them, he was ‘El Draque’ – the dragon – with a bounty placed on his head by King Philip II of Spain himself. So who was the real Francis Drake – avaricious pirate, or patriotic naval commander? How did a boy from an agricultural Devonshire family discover fame and fortune on the high seas? And to what extent is his heroic reputation overshadowed by his darker deeds? This is a Short History Of Sir Francis Drake. A Noiser podcast production. Hosted by John Hopkins. With thanks to Hannah Cusworth, curator of the Atlantic at Royal Museums Greenwich. Written by Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow | Produced by Kate Simants | Production Assistant: Chris McDonald | Exec produced by Katrina Hughes | Sound supervisor: Tom Pink | Sound design by Oliver Sanders | Assembly edit by Anisha Deva | Compositions by Oliver Baines, Dorry Macaulay, Tom Pink | Mix & mastering: Cody Reynolds-Shaw | Fact Check: Sean Coleman Unlock the next two episodes of Short History Of… right now by subscribing to Noiser+. You’ll also get ad-free listening and early access to shows across the Noiser podcast network, including Real Survival Stories and Sherlock Holmes Short Stories. Just click the subscription banner at the top of the feed, or head to www.noiser.com/subscriptions to get started. A Short History of Ancient Rome - the debut book from the Noiser Network is out now! Discover the epic rise and fall of Rome like never before. Pick up your copy now at your local bookstore or visit noiser.com/books to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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John Hopkins· Host0:29
It is a bright spring day in April 1581 at the Royal Docks at Deptford on the banks of the River Thames just outside London. Monsieur de Marchmont, the French ambassador to the English court, alights from a carriage, richly dressed in a blue velvet doublet. Shading his eyes, he takes in the enormous crowd that has gathered at the docks, not for him, but for the occupant of the vehicle ahead. The door of the lead carriage now opens, and to an almighty cheer, Elizabeth, Queen of England, emerges into the spring sunshine. The light catches on the innumerable jewels stitched onto her scarlet gown, turning her distinctive red hair into a fiery halo, and she raises a gracious hand in acknowledgement of her subjects. Then she beckons to Marchmont. Hurrying to her side, he escorts her through the crowd with her pale hand