Sir Francis drake informational guide
Sir Francis Drake
Born - 1540 (exact date unknown)
Tavistock in Devon
Died 1596
Laid to rest at sea near Porto Belo, Panama
Vice Admiral Sir Francis Drake is a legendary hero of England, but not everyone felt the same way about him, the Spanish despised him, and he will often referred to in Spain as 'El Dragon'. The then King of Spain was said to have placed a huge bounty upon Sir Francis Drakes head. Sir Francis Drake was not only a loyal subject of the Queen of England, but also a renowned sailer, privateer (some said pirate), slave trader, engineer and politician, he was after all made a Sir and a member of parliment by the Queen of England.
Sir Francis Drake was born near Tavistock, Devon, its thought early 1540, he was one of Edmund Drakes two sons, his father was farmer later turned preacher, married to Mary. He was grandson of John Drake and Margaret Cole, who were also the great grand parents of Sir Walter Raleigh. His godfather was Fancis Russel, second Earl of Bedford, this is who its reported Francis Drake took his name. Sir Francis Drake was the eldest of 12 children.
At the tender age of 13 Drake took to the sea, and quickly rose up through the ranks, by 20 is was master of the ship, he spent much of his early years improving his sailing skills and developing his sea faring experience in the tough waters of the North Sea. By 23 the death of his captain saw Francis Drake take command of his first vessel and set off to the New World.
It wasnt long before Drake had his first run in with the Spanish, they trapped him in the Mexican port of San Juan, he was able to escape, and vowed to take his revenge over the Spanish, a promise he woulnt have to wait long to forfill.