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Here's Sir Water Rowdant, an intrepid adventuring rat, along with his trusty sidekick Bilge. They've come to see Queen Elizabeth I, the Queen of England. Let's eavesdrop on their conversation…



Sir Water - Bilge - Queen Elizabeth I
 
 
Sir Water: Imagine, an audience with the Queen of England. How do I look?

Bilge: Queen Elizabeth is probably far too busy to notice a couple of salty old rats like us.

Sir Water: Speak for yourself Bilge. I, Sir Water Rowdant, happen to be one of the greatest adventurers of the Tudor age.

Bilge: Whatever you say sir.

Sir Water: I have journeyed far and wide in the name of our glorious Queen Elizabeth I. She's been ruling us since 1558 you know.

Bilge: But you do get seasick, sir.

Sir Water: Since the time of Elizabeth's grandfather, Henry VII, the Tudor family have encouraged us to travel the seas. In my lifetime, Francis Drake sailed right round the world. Explorers have had such adventures mapping new lands and charting unknown waters.

Bilge: But it must cost a great deal of money to send these ships to explore the oceans! Why bother?

Sir Water: For silks and spices. Merchants bring these luxuries back and make money. They find new markets for our English goods too. Plus we can attack our enemy the Spanish.

Bilge: It's certainly a dangerous business.

Sir Water: True explorers are not afraid of adventure! They have to face storms, battles, disease and even terrifying monsters. Imagine the courage of Drake and his men when they set sail in 1576.

Bilge: Don't you mean 1577 sir?

Sir Water: Er… exactly! Just keep quiet Bilge, you might learn a thing or two.
 
 

 

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