| Francis Drake | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Biographical Information | |
| Title: | Vice Admiral Naval Commander |
| Born: | 1540 |
| Religion: | Catholic |
| Originally From: | England |
| Current Location: | England |
| Family: | John Hawkins (Cousin) |
| Affiliations: | English Court |
| Physical Description | |
| Gender: | Male
|
| Height: | 6'1 |
| Status: | Alive |
| Character Information | |
| First appearance: | Blood in the Water |
| Portrayed by: | Richard Fleeshman |
Francis Drake is an explorer working for Queen Elizabeth, and on the run from the Kingdom of Spain.
Personality[]
Francis Drake is an incredibly confident and witty young man. He enjoys living life on the edge and is a bit of a daredevil.
Biography[]
Early Life[]
It is said that Francis Drake stole cargo multiple times before doing it on behalf of Queen Elizabeth.
Season 4[]
Blood in the Water
Queen Elizabeth believes it was the Archduke of Austria who poisoned Gideon Blackburn, as he was the only one who had motive. Jane informs Queen Elizabeth, Naval Commander Francis Drake had arrived, their meeting set up by John Hawkins. Elizabeth told him she had a special mission that requires his naval expertise and ships. There was a Portuguese freighter filled with jewels, gold, silver setting sail for Austria, and she wanted that cargo for England. Adding the operation cannot be traced back to her, and he will be well compensated. Francis Drake confirm they will utilize blank sails, and hide any semblance of British emblems during your attack. In return, Elizabeth will give them 10% of the haul.
All It Cost Her
Queen Elizabeth goes over the plan to go to war with Spain with Francis Drake, her new military commander. Even if they do defeat the Spanish Armada, their military will be depleted at every level after that, which will allow Scotland to invade.
Upon learning that her cousin is no longer a threat, Elizabeth calls off the marriage with the Archduke and decides to go to war with Spain. Soon enough, with Francis Drake as head of the army, Elizabeth rallies her army with an invigorating speech.
- "I am one among you.
And I will lay down my life for God and kingdom.
I may have the body of a woman, but I have the heart of a king.
I will take up arms with you as your general and your judge, and I will reward your every virtue on the field.
We will live,
or we will die,
but we will not live in fear!" - —Queen Elizabeth
Historical Notes[]
- At age 23, Francis Drake made his first voyage to The Americas with his second cousin, Sir John Hawkins.
- With the success of the Panama isthmus raid, in 1577 Queen Elizabeth of England sent Drake to start an expedition against the Spanish along the Pacific coast of The Americas.
- Exploits made him a hero to the English but a pirate to the Spaniards, to whom he was known as El Draque. King Philip II was said to have offered a reward of 20,000 ducats, (about £4 million/ US$6.5 million) by modern standards, for his life.
- Queen Elizabeth of England awarded Sir Francis Drake a knighthood in 1581
- He was second-in-command of the English fleet against the Spanish Armada in 1588
- In 1590 Francis Drake and Captain John Hawkins founded a charity for the relief of sick and elderly mariners.