About this episode
This episode explores the life of Sir Francis Drake, his dual reputation as a pirate and a naval hero, and his impact on English history.
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…
People in this episode
Hosts: John Hopkins, Kate Simants, Chris McDonald, Katrina Hughes, Tom Pink, Oliver Sanders, Anisha Deva, Oliver Baines, Dorry Macaulay, Cody Reynolds-Shaw, Sean Coleman
Topics covered
- Sir Francis Drake
- naval history
- piracy
- Spanish Armada
- exploration
- English history
Keywords
- Sir Francis Drake
- Spanish Armada
- pirate
- naval commander
- Queen Elizabeth I
- exploration
- history
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