Francis Drake: Pirate,Explorer or Privateer?

ACTIVITY 2: HOT SEAT RESOURCES

What is a pirate?Most pirates targeted ships for their treasure and any other valuables.

Some pirates also launched attacks on coastal towns.

Barbary pirates attack a Spanish ship in the 17th century

Key Stage 2 – Francis Drake: Pirate, Explorer or Privateer?

What is an explorer?

Map by Abraham Ortelius, 1570

In Francis Drake’s day, explorers from many countries in Europe set sail looking for new lands and new routes to the fabulous wealth of ‘the East’.

Key Stage 2 – Francis Drake: Pirate, Explorer or Privateer?

What is a privateer?A privateer is a private person or ship given permission by a government to attack foreign shipping.

Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I

Key Stage 2 – Francis Drake: Pirate, Explorer or Privateer?

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Tudor Question Time

Key Stage 2 – Francis Drake: Pirate, Explorer or Privateer?

Today’squestion

Francis Drake: pirate,

exploreror privateer?

Key Stage 2 – Francis Drake: Pirate, Explorer or Privateer?

Our panel

Sir Christopher Hatton © National Portrait Gallery

Map of Spain © iStockphotos

Key Stage 2 – Francis Drake: Pirate, Explorer or Privateer?

About youYou and your country need new sources of wealth and new markets for English goods.  How do you know Francis Drake?You paid him £10,000 and gave him a knighthood when he returned from circumnavigating the globe.

Some people in your government certainly support him and invest in his voyages.

People think you probably invested in his circumnavigation, but you don’t really talk about that – if the Spanish got wind of it, it could start a war.

 What do you think of him?He’s an English hero.

He helped give England a strong reputation as a maritime power.

Elizabeth I, Queen of England

Key Stage 2 – Francis Drake: Pirate, Explorer or Privateer?

About youYou are a sailor and a privateer. You make your living going on journeys that are paid for by wealthy investors.

If you bring back valuable goods – then you get paid!  How do you know Francis Drake?You sailed with him on his famous voyage around the world.

You joined him on raids of Spanish ships where you took all the treasure.

You were there when he tried to find the North West Passage and claimed a new territory for the Queen called Nova Albion, or ‘New England’. What do you think of him?He’s a privateer, like you. That’s how you make a living.

Dan Pew, Crew member ofGolden Hinde

Key Stage 2 – Francis Drake: Pirate, Explorer or Privateer?

About youYou’re a wealthy courtier and close to the Queen.

You invest your money in the arts and maritime adventures.  How do you know Francis Drake?You invested money in his famous voyage around the world. You also sent your secretary Thomas Doughty to make sure you got your money’s worth.

Drake and Doughty didn’t get along and Drake had Doughty executed for mutiny.

Then Drake renamed his ship in your honour, after your family’s coat of arms – the Golden Hinde.

Drake returned a massive profit on your investment when he got back. What do you think of him?He’s a very good privateer.

Sir Christopher Hatton, Investor

Sir Christopher Hatton © National Portrait Gallery

Key Stage 2 – Francis Drake: Pirate, Explorer or Privateer?

About youYou are the world’s most powerful man, head of the world’s richest country.

Your country has territories in the Americas. Your ships bring back a lot of valuable gold and silver from those countries.  How do you know Francis Drake?He’s been sacking Spanish ports in the Americas and stealing from your treasure ships.

After he stole a lot of your treasure on his circumnavigation, the English agreed to return some of it.

You suspect the Queen of England has been encouraging him to attack your ships. You’re not happy about it.

What do you think of him?He’s a pirate – there’s no excuse for his behaviour.

Philip II, King of Spain

Key Stage 2 – Francis Drake: Pirate, Explorer or Privateer?

About youYou were the captain of a Spanish treasure ship, nicknamed the Cacafuego. How do you know Francis Drake?Francis Drake came across your ship off the west coast of South America.

He stole all your treasure and took you prisoner.

Before he stole all the treasure he gave your crew 30 or 40 pesos each.

And he gave you some silver, as well as a pass that made sure no other English ships would bother you. What do you think of him?You’d call him a pirate. But you respect him.

San Juan de Anton, Spanish ship captain

Map of Spain © iStockphotos

Key Stage 2 – Francis Drake: Pirate, Explorer or Privateer?