0
THE GREAT EXPEDITION

THE GREAT EXPEDITION

SIR FRANCIS DRAKE ON THE SPANISH MAIN 1585–86

ANGUS KONSTAM

19,99 €
IVA included
Low stock
Publisher:
PUFFIN
Year of publication:
2011
ISBN:
978-1-84908-245-7
Pages:
80
19,99 €
IVA included
Low stock
Add to favorites

In 1585, war between Spain and Elizabethan England was all but inevitable. Consequently, Queen Elizabeth's spymaster proposed a pre-emptive strike designed to paralyse Spain's economy by striking at the Spanish Main - the heart of her overseas empire. The Elizabethan "Sea Dog" Sir Francis Drake was selected to lead this all-important raid.

During the summer of 1585 an expedition was gathered in Plymouth - an impressive force of 21 ships and 1,800 soldiers and sailors. When word reached Plymouth that the Queen was having second thoughts and might call off the raid, Drake hurriedly put to sea, before his expedition could be recalled. After first attacking the Canary Islands, he finally made landfall in the Caribbean just before Christmas 1585, and he headed straight for Santo Domingo, the oldest Spanish city in the New World, and the capital of the island of Hispaniola.

Drake was soon master of the city, which he held to ransom before sailing off towards his new destination - the treasure port of Cartagena. Cartagena was where emeralds and gold were gathered for shipment to Spain, and so Drake hoped for rich pickings. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Drake landed his soldiers, who stormed the city and won a spectacular victory. Cartagena was plundered, then held to ransom before Drake set sail again, the holds of his ships filled with Spanish treasure. Unable to raid the heavily defended city of Havana he instead raided the little Spanish colony on the coast of Florida after which he finally returned home. Drake's daring raids had finally resulted in the outbreak of the long-expected war and it would be the last action of its kind for some years as England sought to protect herself against invasion and the Spanish invasion.

Related Articles

  • POETRY PRESCRIPTION: WORDS FOR LOVE
    POETRY PRESCRIPTION: WORDS FOR LOVE
    DEBORAH ALMA
    This beautiful pocket-sized hardback gift book contains carefully curated prescriptions in verse compiled by Deborah Alma, the founder of the Poetry Pharmacy.Life is lived with feeling - these poems look at all the many manifestations of love.For All Matters of the Heart -Stimulants for Romantic Love, Panaceas for the Broken-Hearted; for the Appreciation of Fellowship, Family a...
    Low stock

    12,50 €

  • WE HUNT THE FLAME
    WE HUNT THE FLAME
    HAFSAH FAIZAL
    The bestselling TikTok sensation - featuring an exclusive bonus chapter! Set in a richly detailed world inspired by ancient Arabia, Hafsah Faizal's We Hunt the Flame is a breathtaking debut about magic, conquering fear and taking identity into your own hands. Perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone series. Zafira is the Hunter. Forced to disguise herself as a man,...
    Low stock

    11,25 €

  • THE ROUGH GUIDE TO SPAIN: TRAVEL GUIDE WITH EBOOK
    THE ROUGH GUIDE TO SPAIN: TRAVEL GUIDE WITH EBOOK
    ROUGH GUIDES / DANIEL STABLES / AGNISH RAY / LIBBY DAVIES
    Ideal for independent travellers, this guidebook to Spain, written by destination experts, combines must-see sights with hidden gems and offers essential tips for both planning and on-the-ground adventures. It's sustainably printed to ensure environmental responsibility.Inside this Spain travel book, you'll find: Regional deep dive - coverage of key regions, offering a rich sel...
    Available

    25,00 €

  • ONE PERFECT COUPLE
    ONE PERFECT COUPLE
    RUTH WARE
    Pre-order The Woman in Suite 11, the follow-up to the #1 New York Times bestselling author Ruth Ware's multi-million copy mega-hit The Women in Cabin 10, coming Summer 2025. AND THEN THERE WERE NONE meets THE TRAITORS Five beautiful couples. One deadly game. Who will escape alive? Lyla Santiago has spent months working on a research project that could be the key to getting a...
    Low stock

    12,50 €

  • MORAL AMBITION
    MORAL AMBITION
    RUTGER BREGMAN
    'The rare read that might actually help you become a better person' ADAM GRANT 'A fierce and brilliant call to arms for anyone who has been wondering whether there's more to life. (There is.)' TIM HARFORD 'Gives us hope, humour and guidance at a time when all are in short supply' TIMOTHY SNYDER 'Clear, brave, important and provocative' RORY STEWART THE ANTIDOTE TO APATHY FROM ...
    Available

    25,00 €

  • MORAL AMBITION
    MORAL AMBITION
    RUTGER BREGMAN
    'The rare read that might actually help you become a better person' ADAM GRANT 'A fierce and brilliant call to arms for anyone who has been wondering whether there's more to life. (There is.)' TIM HARFORD 'Gives us hope, humour and guidance at a time when all are in short supply' TIMOTHY SNYDER 'Clear, brave, important and provocative' RORY STEWART THE ANTIDOTE TO APATHY FROM ...
    Available

    18,75 €

Other books by the author

  • WARSHIPS IN THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR
    WARSHIPS IN THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR
    ANGUS KONSTAM
    This detailed study of the naval Spanish Civil War describes how the Spanish Navy, torn in two and comprising a Republican and Nationalist part, fought a civil war at sea involving both Hitler's and Mussolini's navies.In July 1936, a pro-fascist coup orchestrated by General Franco tore Spain apart and plunged the country into a bitter civil war. Like Spain itself, the Spanish N...
    Low stock

    14,95 €

  • SPANISH GALLEON 1530–1690
    SPANISH GALLEON 1530–1690
    ANGUS KONSTAM
    During the middle decade of the 16th century a new type of sailing vessel emerged, designed to carry the wealth of the Americas to Spain. This was the galleon, and over the next century these vessels would serve Spain well as treasure ships and warships, becoming a symbol of Spanish power and wealth during the period. The development and construction of the Spanish galleon are ...
    Low stock

    16,25 €