Sir Francis Drake: England's Greatest Hero

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Sir Francis Drake's attacks on Spanish ships, towns, and ports in the Caribbean, the Pacific, and on Iberia itself frustrated and terrorised Spanish governors, admirals, King Phillip II himself and even the Pope in Rome. He robbed the Spanish gold and silver from the jungles of Panama, seized laden treasure ships from the Azores to the Pacific and helped save England from the terrifying Spanish Armada.
The first captain to successfully circumnavigate the globe, he was without doubt the finest navigator, most accomplished explorer, and wealthiest pirate of his age. But who was this man really? What caused him to sail around the world and spend a lifetime seeking fame and fortune at sea? And why was he so motivated to wage an endless personal war against the entire Spanish Empire?
This is the incredible story of England’s greatest hero, Sir Francis Drake.
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Sources
Sir Francis Drake by John Sugden: amzn.to/49qrEht
In Search of a Kingdom by Laurence Bergreen: amzn.to/49kKRBj
The World Encompassed by Francis Drake: amzn.to/3QLfatx
Sir Francis Drake's Famous Voyage Round the World by Francis Pretty: amzn.to/3u11wcZ
Elizabethan Sea Dogs 1560-1605 by Konstam and McBride: amzn.to/47070TP
Tudor Warships (2): Elizabeth I’s Navy by Konstam and McBride: amzn.to/40o5FDY
The Defeat Of Spanish Armada by Garrett Mattingly: amzn.to/3shLTNR
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Video Chapters
00:00 The Life of Francis Drake
02:04 Video Sponsorship
03:08 Drake's Early Voyages
13:24 The Battle of San Juan de Ulúa
18:27 Drake Steals Treasure in Panama
27:18 The Rathlin Island Massacre
28:44 The Circumnavigation Begins
39:29 The Great Pirate Raid in the Pacific
49:10 Nova Albion
51:50 Completing the Circumnavigation
56:00 The Great Raid on the Spanish West Indies
01:05:17 Drake's Attack on Cadiz
01:12:03 The Spanish Armada
01:18:57 Drake's Final Years

[@DanDavisHistory]

Get an exclusive @Surfshark Black Friday deal! Enter promo code DDHISTORY to get up to 6 additional months for free at surfshark.deals/ddhistory

[@gaslitworldf.melissab2897]

Hey fellow viewers. If you've not read Mr. Brown's fiction, let me tell you . . . I just finished God-born, the first book. It's an immersive experience that richly brings to life a time far removed from human memory. I'm going on to the second book very soon. This would make an excellent gift for fans of the fantasy-fiction genre at the emergence of the Bronze Age.

[@hotstepper887]

Walter Raleigh next?

[@DanDavisHistory]

Good idea!

[@pasquinomarforio]

Great story. Again. Thanks.

[@jordijones]

@@DanDavisHistory An in-depth comparison of Cochrane and Smith? Not sure anyone's done that yet.

[@commieswine]

As a Californian its insane to me that he made it this far. We dont have many opportunities to physically engage with history. So being at Drake's bay and imagining English sailors landing there so many years ago as a kid helped fire my passion for history! Thank you covering such a fascinating character.

[@DanDavisHistory]

What's amazing to me is that they sailed past San Francisco Bay but their accounts don't mention it. So they either saw it and decided against going into it or they somehow missed it entirely. Maybe they were too far out to sea at that point or maybe it was foggy.

[@theeddorian]

@@DanDavisHistory San Francisco Bay was discovered by a party traveling by land. The entry is not that obvious from the sea. E Clampus Vitus members played a prank on a fellow member and friend, planting a plaque to found showing that Drake's Bay was, indeed, Drake's Bay. The joke worked too well, and rather than embarrass their friend, a serious historian, the truth was kept secret until after he died. It was, as far as California's history is concerned, a hoax on scale similar to Piltdown. E Clampus Vitus was a Gold Rush-era humourous pastiche society founded to make fun of the Masons and other "secret" societies, whose members tended to make production of their secrets and membership. The motto is Credo quia absurdum. It is still going strong. There is a good discussion on WIkipedia for the interested.

[@commieswine]

@@DanDavisHistory the fog is definitely an issue. I've been on the Golden gate when it was so thick you could maybe see 100ft? To me thats the simplest answer, but who knows.

[@philsooty61]

Nice one, but remember he was a bit of a scoundrel but those where different times and sometimes you need people like him!

[@duaneaikins4621]

@@DanDavisHistoryI can not imagine that they would sail with the fog that thick. The California coast is littered with rocky islands and they didn’t know the coast.

[@AndyorAndrew]

The BBC could never make a documentary this good, thank you

[@sarahhearn-vonfoerster7401]

BBC has made many classic documentaries as good as these. It is good to have two excellent sources. 😅

[@thewayfarer8849]

Remember lads; always aim to be so famous your enemies make a passtime of your death. Really love these videos Dan, great history coverage.

[@normagordon1375]

Learned about Sir Francis Drake by my Mum as a child in Jamaica. She would always give us extra homework and caused us to love world history so much! Sir Francis Drake was such a fascinating discovery for us, we read, talked and sang about him. Still love history today because of her and Drake will forever be a favorite... So glad to be able to partake of this lovely piece!❤️

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you so much for watching and commenting, I'm delighted to hear of the passion you and your family have for history.

[@roytaylor6361]

What a great mum you have!

[@emergencylowmaneuvering7350]

Pirate Drake was wounded and lost The Battle Of San Juan in year 1595. He already had lost the Battle of The Counter Armada a few years before. Drake lost too and fled to Panama, wounded, where he also failed to win. Drake, now wounded and depressed after losing so many ships and men in the last 3 battles he was assigned to, and too ashamed to return to England as big loser, he died from the battle wounds and depression due big failures. Admiral Hemmings, another director of the Great Armada battle was killed in that battle too and was hurry up buried at sea, all mangled in front of San Juan. But the Brittish reported Hemmings died of a Tropical disease BEFORE the battle of San Juan.. And Drake also died from a TROPICAL DISEASE AFTER the battle. Big Lies. Both died from TROPICAL CANNONFIRE from the 70 cannons of El Morro Fortress in Puerto Rico, the biggest in the caribbean, even now. British Empire covered up that 2 of their 3 “Great admirals” of the Great Armada battle died in The Battle of San Juan in 1595. Tropical disease died was a big lie. Pirates dead by PR.. LOL..

[@roytaylor6361]

@@emergencylowmaneuvering7350 no amount of your reinterpretation of the facts can alter them.

[@hotstepper887]

So much British history has been distorted, lied about, and criticized, that hearing accounts of our history without that endless barrage of unfounded hate, is fantastic, interesting and educational. Great stuff, thank you.

[@EstbXCIII]

Sadly, I think the state of British history is in a lot of danger. Young people and especially the woke mob are severely tainting ture British history. Britains historical figures are being hijacked and being represented by nom-British actors like the way Queen Anne Boleyn, Queen Charlotte of Spain, King Richard the III etc. are being played by black people. Non-Europeans are denying us our history by rewriting it and claiming that European history is actually black history and all of it's achievements are the work of black ppl that white people stole from them. And now the most recent claim is that it was black and brown people that built Britain after WWii. Britain and Europe has welcomed In millions of migrants from war and poverty stricken countries yet this is how we are repayed. We welcome them to live in a country to live a quality of life that they would never have even dreamed of back in their homeland and then completely throw us under the bus.

[@libertycoffeehouse3944]

The British have a proud history. The Ancient Rights of Englishmen, representative government, and limited government was a blessing to the world.

[@hyperboreanforeskin]

the people who lie about Our History have names and addresses.

[@jtjames79]

​@@hyperboreanforeskin Well that escalated quickly. Don't civilize me bro!

[@hyperboreanforeskin]

@@jtjames79 just an observation

[@davidwhelan1545]

What a man! I'm lucky enough to have lived,worked and retired on his wider Manor! Great man.

[@Kevin-bl6lg]

Fascinating! How did he treat you and others when he was at his home?

[@davidwhelan1545]

@@Kevin-bl6lg very reasonably, thanks for enquiring.

[@TyrSkyFatherOfTheGods]

As a native Vancouver Islander, I learned about Drake in school (along with other European explorers of Canada's west coast). The highest mountain on the island, at 2195 m (7200 ft) is named "The Golden Hinde," as Drake reported spotting it in the far distance. I think it's kind of cool that the northernmost part of his epic voyage was where I grew up and live! Thanks for this, Dan.

[@Carcajou72]

Didn't know that about The Golden Hinde. I also live on Vancouver Island.

[@dancarter482]

@@Carcajou72 I assume you know all about _Captain Van_ though?

[@MariaVictoriaGarciaAzuero]

It never happened. Drake stopped near San Francisco in 1579 on his way to cross the Pacific Ocean. Which by the way. It was already a highway for the maritime Spanish empire having discovered the Philippines (after Felipe II king of Spain) as early as 1525 by a monk, cosmographer, Urdaneta. Google it!

[@battambangscooterandmotorc303]

I'm with ya. Way before Cook & Vancouver eh?

[@Survivethejive]

Every time you drink a mojito, you must toast this bad lad

[@martinezperez9026]

Amazing documentary, Dan, as always. As a Spaniard, I never learned a single word about Drake as a kid in school; just, from the movies, that he was a pirate and a buccaneer. I was surprised by all the parallels between his circumnavigation of the world and that of the Magellan-Elcano (el Cano) expedition 60 years earlier. Both Drake and Magellan faced challenges to their command from high-born people in their armadas due in part to a lack of clarity as to the chain of command, both confronted this obstacle in the exact same spot, the Bay of San Julián, and both ended up eliminating the challengers to their authority (Magellan had two men executed, marooned other two). After the Pacific crossing, both reached the exact same islands, both had the exact same experience with the natives and both gave the island the exact same name! (Magellan called it Isla de los Ladrones: Island of Thieves). I wonder if Drake had available any chronicle of the Magellan journey (if I am not mistaken, Pigafetta’s account made the rounds in Europe) and he may have just confirmed the name he may have known Magellan gave the island. I also wonder if Drake encountered the same troubles with scurvy during the Pacific crossing as Magellan. No one knew about the effects of carrying citrus fruits on board at either time, right? Then, both expeditions stopped at Ternate and acquired great amounts of Clove... I was also surprised of how fast Drake travelled the Indian Ocean and made it back to Europe compared to el Cano (who took 5 months, although he lost the mizzenmast in a storm in Cape of Hope and also went out into the Atlantic to shake off Potuguesse pursuers from Cabo Verde). Both el Cano’s and Drake’s ships spent 3 years at sea, being both brand new when they started, so they must have been equally deteriorated by shipworm. I wonder how much ships and the art of navigation may have advanced in the intervening 60 years... neither one had steering wheel yet, which was introduced in the 1700’s... The whip-staff (or gooseneck? for the rudder?) appears around 1513 in Spain, so Magellan might have already had it in 1518, but I read descriptions in which they seem to have been steering with just the rudder arm (tiller?), as they did at the time of Columbus; by Drake’s time they must have all been fitted with the whip-staff... Although in many modern retellings of Magellan’s trip it is presumed that they used the common log to calculate speed, I believe in 1518 the device didn’t exist yet... but it probably did by the time of Drake... They both had quadrants but not Sextants or Octants (I ignore if the English also used astrolabes like the Castilians)... Regarding the Invincible Armada, I understand that the Castilians meant to bring their infantry on board in Flanders, but weren’t able because the English engaged them in the English Channel (as you describe) and the Dutch blocked access to the Flemish ports (considering the ultimate outcome, if the Castilian tercios had all been on board, they would have drowned and that would have really been a crippling blow to Spain’s grip on Europe). From what I read, after several gunnery exchanges both armadas ran out of ordnance, but while the English were able to re-ammunition in their own coasts, the Castilians were cut off from Spain by the English fleet and from their Flemish safe harbor by the Dutch and became sitting ducks. If the English had previously been hard pressed to penetrate the Castilian hulls, they were now able to fire at a much closer range; then, as you describe, when the Castilians attempted to flee around Scotland and Ireland to save their ships, their armada was shipwrecked by storms. In Spain, of course, we emphasize how few ships were lost to enemy fire and how many to the storms :)

[@user-zq8js3cb6v]

When was disease like scurvy first discovered on the british navy was it im christopher columbus time also how about the penal trips to australia was it to tesmania new south wales

[@klaunwelt4404]

This is absolutely outstanding. I’ve watched it twice now and will watch it with my son next. Dan Davis’ work is peerless. What a terrific antidote to the parlous state of contemporary history programming.

[@suzannejones5992]

With that title, a must watch. Always a hero in my mind. Thank you.

[@roberttreborable]

Thank you for such a full fascinating story of one of my Childhood heroes. I well remember our primary school teacher Mr Dunn telling us, "Sir Francis Drake, took gold from the Spanish Galleons, but he didn't really steal it because that gold had been stolen, by the Spanish from the native people, it didn't belong to the Spanish they had stolen it, so Francis Drake took it off them". "When he got home, the Spanish King complained to Elizabeth and she was going to punish him, but Sir Francis said he had taken to gold as a present for her, because she as Queen would know what to do with it, and so the Queen changed her mind"... I've remembered that all these years.

[@marniebawlf2786]

Thank You Dan for this marvelous documentary. My husband wrote the book, The Secret Voyage of Sir Francis Drake (by Samuel Bawlf) mentioned by @bietuns earlier in this comment section. He was passionate about Drake's historical voyages since his childhood. Thoroughly enjoyed this. He would have enjoyed this as well but sadly passed away in 2016.

[@stephenburnage7687]

I read that book! A great story.

[@roytaylor6361]

Ordered!

[@danrubin4506]

Marnie, I have a copy of that book among my sailing books. I treasure it. Very well written and valuable to know the details of Drake’s exploration of the Americas.

[@MK-nd2ij]

May your deceased husband rest in peace, I was looking for an opportunity to read a book and I decided to read his book! Good luck!

[@Stephen2K4]

I loved the movie Master and Commander. Now I need a movie based on Sir Francis Drake. What an adventurer.

[@madMARTYNmarsh1981]

Now isn't the best time in history to make such a film. Drake would magically become a black lesbian woman. 'For modern audiences'.

[@alexjn5460]

Yeah that's a great shout actually. 'Drake' (2025) Starring Christian Bale as Sir Francis Drake

[@stevencarroll8315]

Captain Cochraine was based in Master & Commander, check out his life story, that guy is a legend to our navy.

[@rexrecumbent]

Na the papacy own Hollywood, sadly that will never happen...

[@bear1245]

Yes so many British historical figures deserve a movie. Like Napoleon getting a movie, well so should Nelson too! See Drake of England (1935) by Arthur Woods.

[@klaunwelt4404]

Dan Davis’ content is an absolute treasure. Thank you Dan. It is such a treat to see a new video from you, and this one being so long is a delight.

[@smithwesson7765]

Drake was my childhood hero. He was one of the greatest sailors in history.

[@DFranco23]

Slave trader

[@celtibero599]

In Spain is consider no more than pirate and a plunderer who was made an admiral

[@rossrreyes]

Great Sailor and greatest Pirate in history

[@NTL578]

​@@celtibero599Where did Spain get all of the treasure to plunder?

[@celtibero599]

@@NTL578 In a very similar way that all the nobles of the time exploited their servants for their personal benefit and enrichment, but with some small differences, such as that these "nobles" in America did not have lands nor were their titles eternal, but rather these they changed possession every few generations, although it also depended on the time period. It is also a very complex teme, I recomend you to investigate deeper about it, not only English sources, but also Spanish ones. No one can know about truce if only reeds about one side of the story.

[@q.e.d.9112]

Excellent, expertly told history. Well done.👍👍👍 1:14:10 The reason Drake continued with his game of bowls is that his ships couldn’t leave until the tide turned and, when it did, the Spanish would be pushed back seawards. He also wanted to follow them up channel, giving him the weather gauge. His smaller, nimbler ships could always escape upwind, if they found themselves out gunned. The armada, travelling in convoy at the speed of the slowest ship, could be picked off, a ship or two at a time.

[@WildWestRosie]

That quiet, sly change to Drake's portrait 1:06:35 was the best part of all of this! Nope, the full grin is! 1:07:31

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thanks for noticing. These little things amuse me and I'm glad they do you too.

[@philiptownsend4026]

Ah you noticed too ;-)

[@sreveparker2011]

Thankyou for your documentary. As a West country boy, and with a great fondness of the oceans, I have always hooked on to Francis Drake. This story you have narrated has been most helpful to me, once again thankyou.

[@Jesusisafriendofmine]

My paternal grandmother's family are descended from him. My great great aunt the last to have any of his wealth. Really cool to hear his story.

[@NarlyLyfe]

cap, the Drake line died out in the 18th century.

[@philiptownsend4026]

How could he have descendents? He had no children.

[@domfrancis3140]

​@@philiptownsend4026he had 11 brothers many of whom probably had children, a niece/nephew are still descendants even if not directly.

[@NarlyLyfe]

his brother@@philiptownsend4026

[@NarlyLyfe]

his brother took over everything after he died.

[@joezephyr]

Fabulous thank you!! I am Australian and I was in Plymouth in May and made a point of seeing his statue.

[@joelhernstrom6060]

The intro gave me chills. Top work man!

[@davidludford2164]

Absolutely brilliant,I was in Panama City last may,and my plan was to go to portobello and throw some flowers in to the sea for our hero,I let the side down,but I have promised my self next time,and there will be a next time,my next new country Bhutan will be country 155,and I have devoted my life to travel,a few weeks back I was in Calcutta for the cricket England v Pakistan,the British history in India is truly amazing,I am so happy to have found your channel at 01.00 in my home in rural Thailand,as you must know the British maritime museum in Greenwich is a total joke concerning sir Francis drake,thank you for your brilliance

[@honestorchard]

This should be shown in schools. Great content! You're a treasure Dan.

[@gustavodiniz6156]

SI DEBERIA CONTARSE EN LAS ESCUELAS LO LADRONES QUE FUERON.

[@philiptownsend4026]

I like the way Drake's portrait changes expressions. Did anyone else notice?

[@douglasparker577]

Excellent work. Thank you very much. Sir Francis Drake = England's greatest hero.

[@manxman8008]

Amazing - I didn't realise they sailed the world so much

[@STATERECALLMUSIC]

I loved this. I learned more about drake than I did at school!

[@NarlyLyfe]

Thanks for this gem, have already listened to it like 5 times while I'm at work.

[@joedredd1168]

Here is glorious Devon, we know this man well, hail Sir Francis Drake! The Dragon of the Waves.

[@NorwayT]

This was an impressive presentation of one of History's most remarkable Mariners and Heroes, Dan Davis History! KUDOS! Well done, sir!

[@janvanhoyk8375]

definitely the most fascinating one of these more historical stories you have yet told.

[@Charles-oo8bq]

Thank you brother. The imagery of the olde ships interior were beautiful. Blessings from Bavaria

[@elvenkind6072]

I'm only halfway into this, but just had to take a pause to say how much I loved this story telling, and the feeling of adventure it gives me. I have to commend you for the beautiful illustrations, pictures, video, music and well spoken storytelling. Have you perhaps thought about writing non-fiction books, after having studied it to the depths? I would certainly not mind reading it, or rather listening to audio-books of it, preferably with you yourself as the narrator of it. Great job Mr. Davis, looking forward to more, so changing the subscription to get notified for every new one.

[@markhughes7927]

1:29:09 Have recognised his spirit abroad as recently as the 1990s - and worth remembering concerning ‘the other one’ that in 2005 (200 years after) marine traffic passing Portsmouth some 200 - 300 ships from all nations stopped - faced inwards to the port and saluted with every siren they had got at an appointed hour!

[@liezldldb]

Yeh, I have been waiting for new share! Quality as alsways! Baie dankie, meneer Davis

[@mikemccartneyable]

This story and production was absolutely phenomenal. Well done!

[@EpicHistoryoftime]

I've been waiting for my favorite late night relax and learn podcast for too long now!!!

[@leemurphybrazil1258]

Well done! Drake would have been proud of this biography.

[@bieituns]

I read a book a couple of years ago, I think it was called the secret voyage of sir Francis Drake. It was fascinating because it appears that some of drakes greatest discoveries and achievements were hidden because Queen Elizabeth didn't want the French and Spanish to know what he was up to during his search for the northwest passage. But some unofficial records such on charts made at the time suggest he got a lot further than most official records would show. Also about a month was missing from the record during his travels when comparing the distances he could cover during a set period of time. Some of the descriptions of the cold weather suggest he was a lot further north than the latitude would suggest. It is believed that he took off 10 degrees of latitude to hide their actual position. Unfortunately it is thought all the secret records were lost during the English civil war or the great fire of London. I would love to know if he did discover the northwest passage.

[@cattymajiv]

🤣😂🤣😂🤣 Nobody could have discovered it back then. It was frozen solid year round for centuries to come. If anyone could have gotten into the edges of northern Canada, from the east or the west, those white men would not be able to distinguish the water from the ice or the land. It was all 1 frozen solid block. Even now only modern double steel hulled icebreakers can get through for almost all of every summer, because there are still areas that are periodically frozen up in summer. The melting is proceeding, but slowly, so it hasn't changed all that much up there. Nuclear icebreakers are still preferred, because it would otherwise take too much time and fuel.

[@bieituns]

@@cattymajiv you are talking out your arse. The northwest passage was discovered in the mid 1800s officially. And I am an officer in the merchant navy and a guy I worked with showed me the pictures of him traveling through the northwest passage and it wasn't an ice breaker

[@Ampdrive411]

The book does'nt claim that Drake found the northwest passage.It does claim Drake was looking for it in the area of the alaskan panhandle.If true,he was in the area almost 200 years earlier than the next european explorers.A facinating read indeed. @@bieituns

[@thefisherking78]

Been too long but what an opus! Absolutely worth the wait 😁

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you so much! Yes it took a while to make that's for sure.

[@thefisherking78]

@@DanDavisHistory I've been fascinated by characters like Drake ever since playing Sid Meier's Pirates as a young kid. That age was full of complicated characters with a mix of motives and interests, with strong ethical codes despite being killers and thieves.. ahh, love it.

[@DanDavisHistory]

I loved that game too. Absolutely loved it.

[@thefisherking78]

@@DanDavisHistoryI should have known!...they don't make em like they used to 😭

[@gordisbella719]

Great Documentary, I see Drake in a whole new way. Thank you I enjoyed this !!!

[@lawrieflowers8314]

Thank you so much for this - what a splendid and stirring story!

[@hetty43]

Fascinating history. Mind blowing how he navigated all those distances. The bravery of those sailors. A Devon man too. Well done. Great video thanks.

[@ML69898]

A timeless video. I know I will come back to this one many times in the future and ponder on Drakes deeds and adventures. Keep doing what you are doing. Your storytelling and narrative skills are top notch. Your channel may not be the behemoth that other channels are but you can get there with this kind of content. Grounded, detailed history is the best!

[@roberttreborable]

I know I'll also be coming back to this video.

[@markwhitbread7383]

Well done Dan. Another great documentary from you. Objective, informative and entertaining. What more could we ask for?

[@marac200]

I really never knew about Sir Francis Drakes moral compass I’m happy to know that he led a chivalrous life.

[@brendanstoran7555]

As pirates go you mean?😂

[@LordOfLight]

Are you serious? He was a very greedy man and happy to drop his comrades in the 💩 in his pursuit of money.

[@roberttreborable]

@@brendanstoran7555 But the gold didn't belong to the Spanish they had stolen it off the Native.

[@roberttreborable]

@@LordOfLight They were happy to be part of his crew and he gave them all a share of the bounty.

[@LordOfLight]

@@roberttreborable Oh? So, he gave it back to the natives then did he? Like Robin Hood. Right?

[@workingfortheirfuture]

Been anticipating something soon(!).... Great timing! Love seeing new vids of yours in my notifications. Cheers! And thank you, Dan!

[@ws175]

Dan, this was another really great and fascinating video. Thank you !

[@shantiescovedo4361]

It is astonishing that this video has so few likes. I have read books about Drake and this video is so much more fun and the density of information means I often have to rewind to watch a part again.

[@vincentdeoilvreis636]

Great video as always Dan, thank you for bringing into light the exploits of this absolute chad, and making spaniards seethe.

[@MariaVictoriaGarciaAzuero]

Panamá “Drake… Drake stayed for two weeks and ransomed the town but on hearing no answer he ordered the town destroyed and so it was set ablaze. All of the ships in the harbour (consisting of frigates, barks, and galliots) were thoroughly pillaged, after which they were all destroyed or burnt. Although no money was found in the town, a watchtower on the summit of a nearby hill was discovered which contained a chest of silver along with two bars of gold, some pearls, and other valuables.[12]… We were undefeated. Again.

[@MailSivad]

Such a great video. Did the old boy proud. Well done.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you very much.

[@MorrisonLee-wt2jp]

Thanks Dan. Great story telling and easy-listening commentary. Always on point and moving forward and the editing always relevant and illustrative. Hats off to you man. Wonderfully educational. I had no idea of his sterling character. (A child of the manse.) Many thanks. Australia

[@bitesizeforaging6983]

This is fascinating, it takes real skill to make a documentary like this. Brilliant narration. Thanks.

[@laara1426]

Excellent presentation on the life of the great Sir Francis Drake !

[@miketackabery7521]

This was an excellent video. Thank you for your hard work on it. Subscribed.

[@Boatperson]

That was fascinating! What a dude!! Amazing life…….so many movies there!

[@baarbacoa]

A masterpiece

[@hilding2063]

What an unreal man from a today's perspective. Unbelievable his daring. I enjoyed your story telling very much.

[@MrTomFlan]

Truly awesome Dan! I knew drake was an extraordinary character but I didn’t know half of this.

[@user-gk3jk2wr4u]

He is one if my heroes what a leader and adventurer

[@HendrixTaylor24]

This was utterly fantastic. Thank you.

[@peterpiper_203]

That was Awesome Thanks so much for bringing us along Felt like I was kid in school reading about these captains of the seas

[@gustavwestergren5410]

Always waiting for Dans latest video. This channel is such a gem. Good work and keep it up!

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you so much. I will do my best.

[@Crecganford]

Thoroughly enjoyed that!

[@DanDavisHistory]

Glad to hear it bro, thanks very much for watching.

[@battambangscooterandmotorc303]

Fantastic work. Well done and thank you so much for your effort.

[@subtropicalken1362]

As a sailor, a fan of naval history (Patrick O’brian, et al.) and museums, I loved this video. Thank you. I hope Drake’s statue is still standing. 🙄

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you very much. I love Patrick O'Brian too.

[@PaulFisher-uj9vb]

The Drake statue is still there in Tavistock on a roundabout ,the postal address is 1 drake villas pl19 8da.

[@subtropicalken1362]

@@PaulFisher-uj9vbcool. Glad to hear the woke madness hasn’t land there yet.

[@hotstepper887]

@@subtropicalken1362 Oh, but it has, and to such an extent, it is the end of this country. This country, the UK, is finished, and will never be back. Today we have a society who all watched our own PM, (Johnston, the elitist, paid off Washington puppet), betray all of us, our own country, and our own grandparents, standing in Ukraine, and just outright lying, (like the most uneducated, clueless, excuse for a PM, any of us have ever seen, heard, or experienced before)! And not only that, no, but then lifting Zelenskiy's hand in the air, (while shouting out) "Slava Ukraini" - the official slogan of Stepan Bandera's OUN (order of Ukraine) that was made up from Ukrainian bourgeois nationalists, Banderites, and Nazi henchmen. Just how treacherous was that? It was 100%, outright treachery, against everything we've all been brought up believing in! Only 25-30 years ago, he'd of been removed for that. Yet unbelievably, we saw people in this country waving their really pathetic embarrassing Ukrainian flags, agreeing with him, even joining in, shouting out "Slava Ukraini"! Honestly, just how sick is that. I mean, really, are you kidding me? Just what kind of people are my fellow countrymen today? I don't recognise any of these people, they've clearly become just as uneducated as the Americas themselves. How embarrassing is that! I actually have become so disheartened that I really do want to see this country, my own country, completely annihilated today. And it has to be said, man, ain't they all making sure this happens? Best of luck with that.... I'm lucky, I have another home, and a long way away, and a yacht that I'm planning to sit in, (at a safe distance), beer in hand, watching this Island burn. Wipe this urban jungle of the worst excuses for British people, we've ever seen, or ever experienced before, from the face of this earth, and do the rest of the world a massive favour. It was members of the OUN, that took the most active part in the mass murder in Ukraine and Poland during October 1942, murdering millions of innocent people. They cheer for that? As, today, it just seems that none of these people know anything about any of this history, or know any of these facts, let alone understand just how treacherous that really was! Our own PM, knowingly, and purposely, betrayed our own grandparents, (many who fought and gave their lives defeating Nazism)! While our own PM, (and only on behalf of the criminal USA), raises a Nazi supporter's hand in the air, while shouting out "Slava Ukraini"? And nobody in this country said a word about it? Absolutely hilarious, man!! You really can kiss this country goodbye. These people we see supporting Ukraine, are only traitors (against every one of us, and our own country). Only, again, much too uneducated to ever understand why. And truth be told, it's actually more disturbing, that we could see anyone in this country, thinking that Russia have acted in any way, other than 100% the right way, 100% the ethical way, and a 100% the moral way, in absolutely everything they've done? Yet these people all claim Russia invaded Ukraine, and Russia are wrong? It's nothing but outright, in your face, Idiocy! It is not, and it has never been, a "Russian invasion of Ukraine". Seriously, only a propaganda believing sucker, and complete fool could think it was!. Obviously, we do hear that from our own lying government of paid off Washington puppets, yet they all obviously know very well, that it wasn't, and isn't, a Russian invasion of Ukraine. Yet barely any of these excises for Brits do! Many of them don't even know what we've all really seen happen in Ukraine, (since the illegal US coup of Ukraine in 2014). Many of them don't even know that it was the USA that caused the coup in Ukraine! And again, many of them have no idea, that the "illegal" Ukrainian government's, army, with their neo-Na*i (NATO trained thugs), have non-stop been trying to murder and wipe out all those innocent Eastern Ukrainians, for the last 9 years! And why? Because those former Eastern Ukrainians, speak Russian, and they didn't agree with the illegal coup committed against their legally elected government. So, the truth, and the undeniable reality is, they're supporting Ukraine trying to murder all those innocent former eastern Ukrainian people, and regardless if they think so or not, that is exactly what they're supporting. We then saw, on 14th May 2014, those Eastern Ukrainians hold a referendum on whether they should claim independence from Ukraine, (who only want to slaughter them all). And they then overwhelmingly voted to claim their own independence from Ukraine, (seeing the creation of both) the Donetsk People's Republic, and the Luhansk People's Republic. Then, in February 2022, both the Donetsk People's Republic, and the Luhansk People's Republic, saw Ukraine building up a military force of over 200,000 troops (with Nazi battalions included) on their borders, (who were well dug in, and heavily armed with modern western weapons targetting them). Ukraine were about to carry out a pre-planned full-frontal military assault against all those innocent people in Eastern Ukraine, to wipe them all out. Then both the Donetsk People's Republic, and the Luhansk People's Republic (REQUESTED) Russian military protection from Ukraine, and (REQUESTED) Russian military assistance against Ukraine's illegal government's army and their Nazi murdering thugs. -- To which Russia (QUITE RIGHTLY) agreed, while also recognising their own independence from Ukraine. Nobody has ever attempted to claim an invited, and requested military intervention into a country to protect innocent people from slaughter, as a military invasion by anyone, NOT EVER! Are these people we really are suffering from here, really this uneducated? We then saw, during 23-27 September 2022, the Donetsk People's Republic, and the Luhansk People's Republic, hold a referendum whether to join Russia, or to remain part of Ukraine, (who only want to slaughter them all). They then, again, overwhelmingly voted to join the Russian Federation, and were elated to finally do so. Yet people here believe the western narrative, who wrongly claim Russia invaded Ukraine? It's just complete and utter ignorance Putin made it very clear what Russia's aim was in Ukraine (before they entered), and honestly, he could not have made it any clearer, than he did. He told us all, very clearly, the aim for Russia was to protect those Eastern Ukrainian people (who have been subjected to bullying, torture, murder, and attempted genocide against them by the Kiev regime for the last eight years) - ABOUT TIME TOO, IS THE TRUTH!! For Russia to achieve that, they planned to carry out a full "demilitarization and denazification" of Ukraine, to bring to justice, all war criminals responsible for the bloody war crimes against civilians in Donbass. GOOD is the truth, well done Russia is the correct response! Because no matter where anyone's loyalty may lie?, we, the people, never support wrong, over right, but should always be willing to stand up and fight for right, over wrong! These people must unbelievably, think, that Russia protecting all those innocent people (at their own request), is a Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the wrong thing for Russia to do? So, they must have expected Russia to just ignore all those innocent eastern Ukrainian people's request for help and protection from Ukraine? And then just watch Ukraine murder them all? Think about it, that is exactly what they must have expected to see? And that, really is, only a Nazi mindset.

[@hotstepper887]

Why has nobody ever asked why this government is even involved in Ukraine in any capacity at all? It's claimed that this is all about Ukraine wanting to join the EU, right? Well, apparently we left the EU?, so why are we giving Ukraine a couple of billion £'s and all those weapons to help them join the EU, that we left? HOW BACKWARD IS THIS? Why? Two reasons... 1) The US demands we do this. They're certainly not doing this for a single one of us, that's for sure. This so-called propaganda against Russia and Putin, is only a remedial standard of propaganda that's all so backward in its entire context, that it shouldn't fool even the least educated members of our society!! Only looking around?, it's fooled so many? Get educated!! 2) Because this government never wanted to leave the EU, that's why, and that's because the EU is where many of their ill-gotten gains (they fill all their offshore accounts with) come from. What was the going rate to bribe an unelected British MEP for our powerful vote on various issues, like which of the poorer EU countries will receive extra financial support from the EU over the next coming financial year? A couple of million £'s, maybe? We reelected that same "remain" government, to lead us out of the EU, (while we all knew they never wanted to leave)? How insane was that? Honestly, the people in this country today, are, without question, easily the least educated society we've ever experienced before. Also, who were the two main countries that we were going to need good trading relations with, if we were going to succeed after leaving the EU? Both Russia and China, of course, you know, those same two countries this government has non-stop been demonising while destroying any chance of ever having any kind of relations with, ever! That makes such great sense, right? I can hear it already?..... "We have decided, for our own security, to rejoin the EU. We must all understand, that in these dangerous times, we're stronger together" (as they pack up, and send off another shipment of weapons to Ukraine) How long till we hear that?

[@gunslinger626]

Been waiting for this!!!

[@jjuniper274]

As a distant relative of Drake, this is very cool to watch. Thank you.

[@TamaraJohnBlue]

Holy cow. Ytube safe* Dan. That was magnificent. Well done Sir. I really appreciate your work and enjoyed this immensely. Thank you.

[@yorkshireaquatics9537]

An hour and a half of awesomeness! I can't wait 😊. Thank you for your top notch content Dan 🎉

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thanks for watching!

[@craig2129]

This is a masterpiece that is better than anything on television. Thank you.

[@CaucAsianSasquatch]

Thank you, you do some of the best work on KZbin.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you very much indeed.

[@CocoaBeachLiving]

Fantastic presentation. I've learned facts about Drake's life I had never heard before. 👍

[@Joecard71]

I listened and waited for the word Tavistock, then I listened more. Good job enjoyed

[@sof5858]

Great video Dan. I will be going through the rest.

[@dwcoolit]

Great Vid...I'm loving learning historic stuff that I should have learned 50 + years ago when at school. Thank You So Much !

[@user-kk7zp2dm5e]

this video was so cool, i loved it. Thanks for making it. Drake was one hell of a sailor. This man lust for gold and silver was something else.

[@gnasher688]

Excellent video & thank you for sharing 🙏 .. videos like this on British history should be shown in every school so that our history & heritage isn’t erased from the education system for good !!

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you for watching.

[@philiptownsend4026]

The pressure on us these days is that we should be ashamed of our history. A great shame as we led the world in so many ways.

[@gnasher688]

@@philiptownsend4026 - Sadly very true .. the amount of people who think history only started in the 18th century & that Great Britain, & its Empire, were at fault for everything bad that has happened in the last 300 years .. narrow, weak minded, brain washed sheep who believe the lies spread by the soulless, politically motivated, Anglo-Phobic media & press .. ALL those brave people, from so many different countries around the World, who sacrificed so much for our, supposed, freedom would be turning in their graves at what Britain has become & it’s certainly not Great anymore

[@HikerBikerMoter]

just tell the kids to pull up there phone, go to YT - then start watching (and growing intellectually) 😊

[@jackholloway1]

I'll never circumnavigate the globe while meeting interesting new people and dabbing on the Spaniards to the point they still seethe centuries on Why live?

[@alexdunphy3716]

Not with that attitude you won't!

[@suryahitam3588]

I think all your videos are great. This one is primus inter pares. I immensely enjoyed it and learnt much.

[@OnwardsUpwards]

The highest peak on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, is called The Golden Hinde, as he may have reached as far north as the island. It's a week-long hike and a goal of mine to hike it one day.

[@maverick4037]

Another excellent video, very informative and entreating.

[@Replicaate]

'Now take Sir Francis Drake - the Spanish, they despise him! But to the British, he's a hero and they idolize him! It's how you look at buccaneers that makes them bad or good..."

[@machinegunsally1874]

Drake was my distant uncle on my grandfather’s side. This fact was passed down by mouth, so i am not sure about the accuracy. I was surprised about how kind Drake was to the natives, and how deeply kind he was to his men. A truly honest and great man. Thank you for this video on Drake.

[@Artiz...]

Brilliant... thanks! There have been a good few 'Heroes of England' throughout the last five hundred years but Drake gets my vote as the greatest! His astonishing and unique abilities as a warfaring mariner with morals, inspired a national maritime self-belief and 'spoils of war' derived wealth which eventually propelled British influence and trade right across the entire globe! Saving the very first ever American's from America (Roanoke), whilst also bringing back tobacco and spuds works too of course... what a hero!

[@kevinstreet5709]

Brilliant, thank you

[@Clem62]

Here on Vancouver Island out tallest peak at close to 7000 ft. is named The Golden Hinde.

[@AngelaAshcroft]

I totally loved this, I had to watch it twice and no doubt, I'll return in the future--- thank you for the educational journey.

[@AngelsArmour]

This was an excellent listen.

[@robertmastnak581]

This is an excelent video! Sailors are real heroes! Thx!

[@mikef.1000]

What a fascinating story. It strikes me that Drake was a lot like Captain James Cook in his attitudes towards native peoples. Both enlightened men for their times.

[@vonartal381]

You should read the reports of spanish authorities in the Américas, ando read the thing Drake did on his expedition

[@roberttreborable]

@@vonartal381 How did the SPANISH treat the native people of the Americas ?

[@cattymajiv]

It's possible both stories have been spun. There's no way of knowing I guess, unless someone does an investigation of the original sources.

[@sTraYa249]

@@vonartal381 ahhh the hard done by Spanish, eh!? 😆😅

[@vatsal7640]

​​@@vonartal381well ,drake was fighting the Spanish wasn't he?

[@michaelwichman2955]

Well done and congratulations on a great summary of his career and massive accomplishments!!

[@peterkurg8169]

Thank you for a great presntation. It was awesome

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it.

[@fideliselan]

I love your work and seeing new video drop is always a joy. Thank you for your talent and the hard work that is required to create your art.

[@MotDoiAnLac258]

Many thanks for sharing.

[@chasleask8533]

Thanks for that buddy . I loved your film .

[@Rawkus105]

Really well constructed documentary. Good job.