Alex A. Cumming Livres

Sir Francis Drake became a legend in his own lifetime and in the succeeding centuries his name has become a national symbol in England. He was resolute in character and dedicated in his objectives. He served his Queen and his conscience with unwavering fidelity. He had vision and determination; vain he may have been, but he had an intense loyalty to his country and to his comrades. Even his enemies paid grudging tribute to his prowess as a seaman and to his treatment of his prisoners, a rare compliment from his adversaries of his time ... He was undoubtedly the foremost sailor of the Elizabethan Age and his arrogance in 'Singeing the King of Spain's beard' in Cadiz Harbour and his outstanding role in the Armada Battle are all a part of his epic story. His meteoric career and his ability were recognised by the Queen and dreaded by her enemies. It is a career and an accomplishment which can never be matched.