Commercial rivalry and Francis drake

Relations between Francis Drake and Elizabeth 1

•Involved in piratical activities – used to seize Spanish cargoes in the early 1570s

•1572 – Elizabeth hired Drake as a privateer; Drake captured £40 000 of Spanish silver in 1573 = making him a privateer was a good investment for Elizabeth

•1577 – Drake launched a new expedition to the New World = plan was to sail around South America and scout out the Spanish

•1577-80 – Drake’s decision to circumnavigate the globe = first Englishman and second in history to do that; set off with 5 ships but only returned with one (the Golden Hind)

Outcome of Drake’s expedition

•Established English control over north California – called it New Albion

•Stole £400 000 worth of Spanish treasure

•Elizabeth knighted him for his success – this angered Philip II

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