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.

 
 
 
 
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.