Francis Drake finishes his circumnavigation of the Earth in Plymouth, England.
The English explorer Francis Drake circumnavigated the Earth between 13 December 1577 and 26 September 1580. The expedition was authorised by Queen Elizabeth I and consisted of five ships. Termed a 'voyage of discovery', it was in effect an ambitious covert raiding voyage and the start of England's challenge to the global domination of Spain and Portugal.
Watch: Circumnavigation, Sir Francis Drake 1577-1580.
From the Samuel Mack-Poole channel.
Sources and further reading: Wikipedia — Francis Drake's circumnavigation, Francis Drake (CC BY-SA). Images: Wikimedia Commons.
