Publication date: 5th August 2020
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Preseli Press Ltd
Print Length: 344 pages
1564
Devon sailor Francis Drake sets out on a journey of adventure.
Drake learns of routes used to transport Spanish silver and gold, and risks his life in an audacious plan to steal a fortune.
Queen Elizabeth is intrigued by Drake and secretly encourages his piracy. Her unlikely champion becomes a national hero, sailing around the world in the Golden Hind and attacking the Spanish fleet.
King Philip of Spain has enough of Drake’s plunder and orders an armada to threaten the future of England.
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Francis Drake wishes for adventure on the sea. He finds a place within a ship Captained by his cousin where Francis learns of the lure of the sea along with the dangers. Francis' interactions with the Spanish on that trip fuel a lifelong rivalry. Drake works his way up to Captaining his own fleet in search of Spanish Gold. HIs adventures soon earn him an audience with Queen Elizabeth I who sends Drake on a mission of her own where he sets out to navigate the Strait of Magellan and ends up taking him around the world.
Drake-Tudor Corsair is an exciting high seas adventure documenting the life of Francis Drake. I didn't know much about Francis Drake and was delighted to read this history filled account. Like all of Tony Riches' other books, this is brimming with historical detail and accuracy. I enjoyed reading about Drake's voyages as well as his interactions with Queen Elizabeth I. All of the battles were exciting as well as exploring the many different lands. I would have loved a map of each of Drake's voyages to follow along with, but was able to figure out many of the areas through context. I was amazed by their life at sea and the constant dangers Drake and his crew faced. More so, I enjoyed reading about the friendships Drake made with crewmates along the way. I did have trouble connecting with Drake's motivations for his continued Spanish rivalry, especially after so many lost lives. Of course, I was most interested in Drake's interactions with Queen Elizabeth I and her own motivations for encouraging Drake's piracy. As always, it seems that Queen Elizabeth had her own intentions and kept them close at hand. Drake-Tudor Corsair is a great start to Tony Riches The Elizabethan Series.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.