The first English circumnavigation
There must be a beginning of any great matter, but the continuing unto the end until it be thoroughly finished yields the true glory….
Drake to Walsingham, from off Cape Sagres, Portugal, 17 May 1587
In 1580 Philip II of Spain became the most powerful man in the world, when he forcibly acquired the Portuguese throne. In the same year, Francis Drake (c.1540–96) became the first Englishman to sail around the world. Drake had set out three years earlier on what was termed a 'voyage of discovery' but was, in effect, an ambitious raiding voyage and the start of the English challenge to Spain's global domination.
Elizabeth and members of her court, including Robert Dudley, Christopher Hatton and Francis Walsingham (now Elizabeth's Secretary of State) were among those who invested in Drake's voyage and secretly supported his privateering – the looting of Spanish ships and ports. They were rewarded handsomely as individuals and the venture also raised an enormous amount of money for the nation's coffers.
Although Elizabeth played down his accomplishment in public, as she did not want to be drawn into a war with Spain, Drake was paid £10,000 for his efforts and was knighted in April 1581 at Deptford. Drake's circumnavigation of the globe (1577–80) and his capture of treasure ships belonging to the most powerful monarch in the world made him a national hero, and England a force to be reckoned with. Drake also had the Queen's blessing to continue his campaign of privateering and the money raised from these raids helped fund the second half of Elizabeth's reign.
They were an increasing annoyance to Philip II and Anglo-Spanish relations continued to deteriorate, moving towards open war from about 1585.
As Philip’s project to send an invasion 'Armada' against England became known, Drake led a pre-emptive strike on Spanish ships being prepared for it in Cadiz in April 1587. A number were destroyed and the raid, which Drake described as his 'singeing of the King of Spain's beard', delayed the Armada for a year. This allowed the English to mobilise their defence. Drake was also a leading player during the Armada campaign.
Drake's ability to attack England's Catholic enemies made him a hero at home, a favourite of the Queen and the terror of the Spanish, who called him 'El Draque' (The Dragon). His portrait celebrates his circumnavigation of the globe and the fruits of his success – the coat of arms bestowed on him when he was knighted and the elaborate jewel at his waist that Elizabeth gave him. Beneath the crest is his motto: 'Thus great things arise from small', referring to his humble origins in Devon.