Sir Francis Drake

Sir Francis Drake was born in either 1541 or 1542 in Tavistock, Devon, England. Drake went on to become one of the most famous men in Elizabethan times. As a sailor, adventurer, navigator, politician, engineer and landowner, he was a legend in his own lifetime.

Among many of this achievements he is perhaps remembered best for his involvement in the Spanish Armada and circumnavigating the globe on his famous World Voyage.

At 04:00 on the 28th January 1596 aboard the Defiance, Sir Francis Drake died of dysentery aged about 55. The next day he was buried at sea in a lead coffin off Puerto Bello to the sound of trumpets and cannons. A brilliant and courageous life had ended.

Chronological Order of Events

1541	Possibly 1942, Sir Francis Drake was born at Crowndale, Tavistock, England
1549	Family flees from Devon to the Thames, Medway, England.
1566	First voyage to the Spanish Main.
1569	Married to Mary Newman on 4th July.
1570	Voyage of reconnaissance to the Indies.
1572	Attack on Nombre de Dios
1574	In Ireland with the Earl of Essex
1577	Circumnavigation of the world.
1581	Knighted onboard Golden Hind, 4th April. Purchased Buckland Abbey, became Mayor of Plymouth, MP of Bossinney.
1583	His wife Mary dies childless.
1584	Expedition to West Indies.
1585	Marries Elizabeth Sydenham. Commands expedition to the Spanish Main.
1587	Raid on Cadiz. 'Singes the King of Spain's beard'.
1588	The battle of the Armada. Commands 38 ships under Lord Howard.
1589	Abortive Expedition to Lisbon.
1590	Plans defenses for Plymouth. Brings the water supply to Plymouth from Dartmoor.
1595	Last voyage to the Caribbean with Sir John Hawkins. Hawkins dies of fever in December.
1596	Died of dysentery aboard the defiance on 28th January. Buried at sea off Puerto Bello.

For opening times see admission and events

Sir Francis Drake

Chronological Order of Events

For opening times see
admission and events