Elizabethan Privateers

What did Sir John Hawkins do?

- 1562 - 1569, led 3 slaving expeditions where Africans were taken and sold to the Spanish colonies in the West Indies - On the third voyage (1567-69) in which DRAKE joined, he was involved in a major battle at San Juan de Ulua, of the coast of Mexico and lost many of his men and ships. - Commanded a portion of the English fleet that defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588.

Raleigh's attempt at Roanoke Colony?

- 1585, Raleigh organised another expedition and planned to take 300 colonists with him. However at the last minute Elizabeth changed her mind and didn't want Raleigh to go, so someone else went instead. This expedition resulted in the first attempt of colonisation by the British, Roanoke Island. Failed but was the inspiration for Jamestown.

When did the Virginia general assembly meet for the first time?

- 1619, the Virginia General Assembly met for the first time. Governor's council and elected representatives. First example of representative government in present day United States.

Who saved Jamestown for the second time? After John Smith?

- Arrival of new colonists (including John Rolfe) allowed the failing colony to begin again. -In 1612, John Rolfe started experimenting with Caribbean tobacco and this ensured a cash crop for the colony. - Arrival of servants and eventually slaves and women in 1619-1620 allowed the colony to feel some type of permanency.

What is Raleigh credited with?

- Credited with being the first to introduce the potato and tobacco crops into Ireland and England.

Conditions on ships?

- Death from starvation e.g. the handful of men who returned with John Hawkins after the failure of his 1568 expedition were almost dead from starvation and thirst. - Diseases were common, especially on long voyages e.g. both Drake and Hawkins died from fever (probably brought on by the 'bloody flux' which flourished in the unsanitary conditions on board ships in the later C16th. - Lack of fresh fruit and vegetables on the ships led to scurvy. Food and beer rotted quickly in the Caribbean waters.

Why did Sir Francis Drake become interested in sailing?

- Drake became interested in sailing after his family moved from Devon to Gillingham, near a dockyard on the River Medway.

What were the outcomes of Drake's voyages?

- Drake was considered a national hero. - First Englishman to sail around the world. - He had brought back silver, gold and jewels worth around £14,000 (about 200 million today). - Drake himself made £10,000 and the rest was paid to investors, meaning the Queen could pay off England's national debt. - Drake claimed new lands for the Queen (California). - Made valuable trading contacts with the King of the Spice Islands. - Feared by the Spanish (known as 'El Draque') which worked in favor of the English. - Elizabeth knighted Drake on his ship and soon made him an admiral.

What state was England in when Elizabeth came to the throne?

- England had a depleted treasury. - England was in religious turmoil - Elizabeth had to build up naval defences

Who was Sir Humphrey Gilbert and what did he do?

- Failed to establish the first permanent English colony in North America - Succeeded in annexing Newfoundland

Why did Raleigh fall from favor?

- Fell in love with one of Queen Elizabeth's favorite maids, Bessy Throckmorton, and quickly married her in secret =BIG MISTAKE - Elizabeth was jealously protective over her favorites and did not want them getting married. Also Elizabeth had to approve all marriages within her court. - Raleigh and his wife were sent to the Tower of London when Elizabeth found out. - Offered to lead another expedition to El Dorado but the voyage was unsuccessful.

Motives of those involved in sea plunder?

- Financial gains/profit

What was Raleigh's first voyage?

- First expedition with Sir Humphrey Gilbert to find the North West Passage. FAILED.

What kind of people engaged in sea plunder?

- Gentry with maritime connections - Merchants

How and why did trading patterns change for the EIC?

- Growing desire for Chinese tea in Europe massive market for the company but Chinese only traded tea for silver so sold illegal drugs to the Chinese instead. LED TO OPIUM WARS.

What role did the Crown play?

- Historian - Dr John Dee (1577) - traveled to Windsor to encourage the Queen to regain her lost territories. - June 1578, Humphrey Gilbert was granted permission by Elizabeth to explore and settle in unmarked overseas territory for 6 years = Gilbert later claimed Newfoundland (5th August 1583) for England.

Overall strengths of Raleigh's career

- Influenced other colonists with his Roanoke colony - Introduction of tobacco and potatoes to the English

Who was Richard Grenville and what did he do?

- Naval commander who fought against a Spanish fleet off Flores Island in the Azores. - 1585, commanded the fleet that carried 100 colonists (following Raleigh's idea) to Roanoke Island.

What did Hawkins contribute to the Armada?

- Naval commander, assumed the post of treasurer in the navy = improvements in ship building & naval administration. - Commanded a portion of the English fleet that defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588. - Died at sea on an unsuccessful expedition to the West Indies.

Who was Sir Walter Raleigh?

- Navigator, adventurer, explorer, scholar and courtier to Elizabeth I - Favorite to the English Queen - Notorious for his charm, wit and flirtatious ways with all the ladies at court (especially Elizabeth's) - Born in a well-educated upper class family in Devon around 1552 -He studied law and joined the army

Overall weaknesses of Raleigh's career

- Never found El Dorado - Married Bessy Throckmorton which fizzled his good relationship with Elizabeth - Didn't obey King James' order by looting the Spanish

Who was Martin Frobisher and what did he do?

- Plundered French ships of the coast of Africa - 1570s, made 3 voyages to discover a North West passage to the Orient - Discovered Labrador and Frobisher's Bay - Knighted for fighting against the Spanish Armada

What played the biggest role in the rivalry between the Spanish?

- Plundering of the ships and piracy aggravated the Spanish

Who wanted an overseas empire and why?

- Politically there was a desire to be part of a greater unity with overseas territories. - Main incentive for travel was money (for Englishmen) e.g. slave trade. - Curiosity: English knew of exotic beasts like lions, camels, tigers and elephants and of exotic foods such as pomegranates, sugar and oranges.

Did the Anglo Spanish Wars hinder or help empire? HINDER

- Privateering distracted capital from normal trade, delaying for example the founding of the EIC and successful colonisation of Virginia - Failed to provide actual territorial gain.

How can we characterise seamen?

- Privateering ships lacked discipline: disorderly crews and drunkenness. E.g. Thomas Cavendish's last words, when he called his sailors 'insolent, mutinous company' in 1591. - No more skilled than mariners from France or Spain. As crew's became larger, skilled seamen were more scarce so deterioration in ability. - Sailors would pick the tougher conditions of piracy for a larger share of the plunder over being a privateer on one of Elizabeth's ship where 'their pay is certain, their diet plentiful and their labour not so great'. - Simple clothing worn. Tunic of leather or a worsted material was worn on its own or with the addition of a hose and a seaman's jacket. Leather shoes with a slash decoration however most seamen would have gone barefoot on high seas.

Did the Anglo Spanish Wars hinder or help empire? HELP

- Privateers accumulated the wealth, shipping and expertise that launched the EIC (1600), the Virginia Company (1606) and the Newfoundland Company (1610). - The rapid advance in ship building and an especially sharp rise in the number of large ships. - Skippers and seamen whose knowledge of the seas were unmatched and unrivalled. - A weakening of the Spanish influence gave rise to opportunities for the Dutch and English - After the Anglo Spanish war, Britain was able to expand their empire in terms of colonisation (e.g. Jamestown in 1607)

What 3 tasks did Elizabeth have as Queen?

- Providing security for her nation - To fix England's depleted treasury in order to finance her navy and to expand empire - Expand England's global influence through trade and colonization

1584 - Treaty of Joinville

- Raised the prospect of Franco-Spanish Catholic crusade against the English

What were the motives behind colonisation?

- Raw materials =they can produce their own crops and resources: long term approach, sustainable. - Gold - France and Spain - Market (commercial gains) - Citizenship

What were Drake's aims for his circumnavigation?

- Revenge for the Spanish attack on Hawkins' fleet in 1568. - Capture gold, silver and other riches. - As a puritan he wanted to cause damage to Spain as it was the most powerful Roman Catholic country in the world. - Wanted to find new lands for the Queen.

What was appealing about Virginia for the English colonists?

- River where they could harbour boats - Lots of wildlife: trees, fruits, wildlife (meat e.g. deer, foxes etc.) - Fertilised lands and suitable cattle

What did Drake contribute to the Armada?

- Sailed on the expedition with Hawkins that was attacked by the Spanish (Vera Cruz Mexico) - Vice admiral of the fleet that defeated the Spanish Armada - Drake was defeated at Lisbon in 1589 and for some years he remained in Plymouth - Drake died at the coast of Panama in January 28, 1596

Who and what saved Jamestown?

- Saved by the leadership of John Smith John Smith befriended Pocahontas (daughter of Powhatan) and a shaky alliance was formed. Natives shared their food with colonists, taught them how to grow corn and tobacco and how to find other food sources in the area. - He instituted martial law, saying that any colonist who didn't work wasn't allowed to eat.

How and why did privateering emerge as a legal practice?

- Spanish Armada threatened England: England had no other choice than to depend on private shipping to help defend her shores and interrupt enemy commerce. - Privateering offered the crown a measure of control as well as a sizable profit. - Privateering crews didn't get a salary but rather a share of the profit so they were very hard working and motivated.

The East India Company = origins?

- Started as a group of merchants called 'Governor and company of Merchants of London Trading into the East Indies'

What were the key features of the court?

- Status highlighted by clothes - Only the aristocracy were able to wear certain fabrics -Wealth: home reflects wealth and clothes reflect wealth (but don't upstage the Queen!)

How successful was Raleigh under James |?

- When James I succeeded Elizabeth, he strongly disliked Raleigh and sentenced him to death. This was reduced to life imprisonment in the Tower of London where Raleigh, his wife, children and servants all lived for 12 years. James ordered Raleigh to search for gold in South America without angering or harming the Spanish HOWEVER Raleigh still pillaged and attacked Spanish territories. Raleigh returned empty handed and was beheaded.

How did the government initially try and deal with piracy?

- the commission allowed merchants to attack and seize pirate ships HOWEVER this only added to the chaos - Punishment for piracy was never consistent or severe.

Challenges the EIC originally faced?

- wars, pirates and lower profit margins forced the company to grow into markets with less competition - couldn't compete with Dutch trading spices so had to trade with silk & cotton instead

What did Raleigh do in 1587?

-1587, explored present day North Carolina down to Florida and named the entire region 'Virginia' after Elizabeth, the Virgin Queen.

What was the Queen's role in Raleigh's career?

-Granted Raleigh a royal charter that allowed Raleigh to take whatever he could find in the New World. While the Queen was secretive about her part in the sea dogs' adventures for political reasons, she loaned them ships and took her share of the loot that Raleigh and other sea dogs brought home.

Who was Richard Hawkins and what did he do?

-He wrote 'Observations in His Voyage Into the South Sea' (1622) - 1585, he commanded a ship on Sir Francis Drake's raid on the Spanish Main and was a ship captain during the Armada campaign (1588).

Why did piracy continue to thrive?

-If the Crown benefited from piracy, they would turn a blind eye e.g. plundering rival countries e.g. Spain and France - Pirates were mostly under the patronage and protection of influential men or government officials who were also involved in the profitable (but illegal) ventures

When was Drake's circumnavigation?

1577-80

When was the Spanish Armada?

1588

Raleigh's role in the Armada?

1588, fights against the Spanish Armada and is involved in the English victory.

What were the first experiences like in the New World (Jamestown)?

APPALLING - Few supplies - No one wanted to work to produce food - Diseases - Poor leadership of colonists - Colonist greed - First winter that the colonists experienced was the worst winter in Virginia's history

Events of the Spanish Armada?

Armada was a great Spanish fleet assembled in 1588 as part of the attempt by Phillip II to invade England Outgunned and unorganised Armada appeared off Plymouth on July 30th, it was met by an English fleet of superior strength English victory at Cadiz in 1587. Anglo Spanish war (1585-1604) Treaty of London (1604) =Spain and England agreed to cease military operations in Ireland 28th May -Armada set sail for the Netherlands. English navy inflicted defeat on the Armada at the Battle of Gravelines English suffered a setback in the islands voyage against the Azores in 1597 Drake and Hawkins died of disease during a disastrous expedition against Puerto Rico, Panama and other targets in the Spanish Main in 1595- 1596 1601 final Armada.

Effects of the Spanish Armada?

Defeat of the Spanish Armada - Spain strengthened its navy England drained of me and treasure English settlement in North America is delayed progress England successfully defended its' protestant revolution

What rebellion broke out in Ireland?

Desmond Rebellion broke out in Ireland.

What were the Court & Parliament's attitude to privateering?

Didn't like pirates as they broke government rules Wanted to punish pirates with the death penalty e.g. 1598, Paul Hentzner wrote that the government hung over 300 pirates in London per year Wanted to remove piracy altogether

What was Raleigh's main goal?

El Dorado - England became very interested in America due to the abundance of gold and other wealth. Raleigh's main goal was to find El Dorado, a mythical city of immense wealth.

Causes of the Spanish Armada?

Elizabeth I antagonised Catholics by making C.O.E the official church English supported protestants in the Netherlands = hostility grew Catholic church considered Mary Queen of Scots queen & opponents continuously tried to overthrow Elizabeth Activities of Privateers seriously affected the Spanish royal revenues & Drake and Hawkins intensified Privateering to break the Spanish monopoly on the Atlantic trade Elizabeth provided assistance to the protestant forces in the French Wars of religion and in the Dutch revolt against Spain 1585- Treaty of Nonsuch (Elizabeth aiding the Dutch rebels against Spanish rule)

Elizabeth's attitude to privateering?

Elizabeth was intrigued by Drake's stories of explorations and his interest in Gold Respect - Drake was knighted for his efforts Elizabeth used privateering towards her foreign policy (when it suited it)

What did Raleigh do after his first voyage failed?

Engaged with privateering against the Spanish which led to the loss of one of their ships. Raleigh hit a low point and was arrested twice for duelling.

What was Drake's religion?

Grew up as a puritan who hated Catholics.

How much profit did Drake return with from his voyage?

He had brought back silver, gold and jewels worth around £14,000 (about 200 million today). - Drake himself made £10,000 and the rest was paid to investors, meaning the Queen could pay off England's national debt.

How important was the Crown's role? What other roles contributed to Empire?

It wasn't only the Crown that initiated Empire. - Geographical knowledge known by captains as well as crew members so there were lots of detailed accounts written. - Large companies would finance explorations rather than the Queen. - Growing number of private merchants finding their way around the world e.g. John Davis who travelled from Falkland Islands to Baffin Island west of Greenland. - The success of men like Hawkins, Drake and Cavendish facilitates expansion of England's oversea trade. - First settlement in America = Jamestown in 1607.

Who was in charge of developing the naval programme?

John Hawkins - appointed 'Treasurer of the Navy'. Hawkins evolved a small streamlined vessel that was more sea worthy and constructed larger vessels with long range guns.

What did Drake do on his circumnavigation?

LOOK AT CASE STUDY SHEET

What was the letter of Marque?

Letter of Marque - used to legitimize privateering

What was the letter of Reprisal?

Letter of Reprisal - used to legitimize piracy E.g. In 1585, a group of merchants who claimed the Spanish had impounded cargo, were issued with a letter of Reprisal allowing them to plunder and equivalent amount from Spanish shipping.

What happened when John Smith left Jamestown?

Once John Smith left, disaster happened: stores of food grown under his leadership had been destroyed by rats and mould and the Starving Time (the winter 1609-1610) led to horrific activities like cannibalism and eating corpses.

What were Drake's previous voyages before his circumnavigation?

Previous voyages before his own: - 1566 with John Lovell. Captured 90 Africans and sailed to the West Indies to sell them as slaves. - 1568 with John Hawkins (cousin) to sell slaves to Spanish settlers. Their ships were attacked at San Juan de Ulua in Mexico. Hawkins lost 4 ships and over 300 men. Drake, Hawkins and 70 other men returned to England.

What is the difference between privateering and piracy?

Privateer: attacks the enemies of his country under license from the government. Pirate: attacks anybody, regardless of nationality. HOWEVER attacks on Spanish ships by men who did not hold a privateering license were acts of piracy.

How popular was privateering?

Privateering was very popular. E.g. in the 1570s and 1580s, privateering ships carried one man for every two tons of displacement. seaman received no wages, but instead received a portion of the plunder or cargo taken from their victims.

How many privateers did Elizabeth recruit?

Privateers numbered over 16,000 by 1582.

How did privateering help with Elizabeth's main aims?

SECURITY = privateers transformed her navy with the aid of private ships which helped to fight back against the Spanish FINANCE = privateers plundered other countries' ships and returned with wealth IMPERIAL INTERESTS = profits from previous journeys financed new journeys

How did Elizabeth place pirates more directly under her control?

She worked to alter their agenda to more long range piracy against England's enemies instead of raiding home waters.

Why was the Desmond Rebellion significant for Raleigh?

The Irish revolt against the English was crushed and Raleigh especially used brutal tactics in conquering the cities of Smerwick and Munster Queen awarded him with a vast estate in Ireland and a knighthood.

Who invested in Drake's voyage?

The Queen and several courtiers invested in the voyage.

Which voyages were the most successful?

The most successful voyages were the ones that had the aim of trade e.g. James Lancaster who encouraged the idea of the East India Company and Richard Chancellor who encouraged the establishment of the Muscovy Company.

What was the Virginia charter and when was it granted?

Virginia Charter 1606 - rise of the stock system and corporations in Europe led to the Virginia Company. Goal was to settle a colony in North America for profit. King wanted to sell goods and to prevent France and Spain from monopolizing the continent.

How successful was the voyage of John Davis 1585-87?

• 3 voyages to North America in search of a route to China • Reached Baffin Island but was stopped from getting further due to the cold and ice.

How successful was the voyage of Francis Drake in 1577-80?

• Became the first Englishman to sail around the world. • Came home with a large profit.

Why did war break out with Spain? TRIGGER CAUSES

• England's alliance with the Dutch and the British interference in the Dutch defeat.

How successful was the voyage of Sir Walter Raleigh in 1595?

• Hoping to find El Dorado, a legendary city full of gold. • Reached Guiana and sailed up the River Orinoco, but did not find the city or any gold.

How successful was the voyage of John Hawkins 1562-68?

• Made 3 voyages capturing Africans off the West Coast and selling them to the Spanish colonies of the West Indies. • 1567, during his third journey, he was attacked by the Spanish off the coast of Mexico at San Juan de Ulua. Hawkins lost 4 ships and 200 men.

Why did war break out with Spain? LONG TERM CAUSES

• Religion caused tension between Britain and Spain since Henry VIII's reformation PROTESTANT VS CATHOLIC

How successful was the voyage of James Lancaster in 1591-94?

• Sailed around Africa, reaching India and the East Indies • Captured 3 Portuguese trading ships. • After his return, the East India Company was formed to trade with India and the West Indies.

Why did war break out with Spain? SHORT TERM CAUSES

• Spanish support for Mary Queen of Scots, The Dutch Revolt and the sudden piracy attacks from between the Spanish and the French.

How successful was the voyage of Martin Frobisher in 1576?

• Thought he could reach China by sailing around North America. • 1576, he reached Baffin Island in the Artic. Found a black rock he hoped would contain gold but he was wrong. • Two more voyages but each time was forced back by cold and ice.

How successful was the voyage of John Cabot in 1497?

• Thought he could reach India by sailing North of America. • Reached Newfoundland = good fishing grounds but no gold, silk or spices • Second voyage in 1498 but never returned.

How successful was the voyage of Sir Hugh Willoughby and Richard Chancellor in 1553?

• Thought they could reach China by sailing around the North of Asia. • Willoughby was killed when his ship got trapped in ice north of Norway. • Chancellor reached Muscovy (in modern Russia) and soon the Muscovy Company was formed to trade with Russia.

How successful was the voyage of Sir Humphrey Gilbert in 1583?

• Wanted to establish a settlement in North America + thought there was a route to China around North America • Reached Newfoundland • Explored the coast of North America but his ship was hit by storms and he never returned.

How successful was the voyage of Sir Walter Raleigh in 1585-87?

• Wanted to establish an English colony in North America = Roanoke • Tried twice to take settlers to colony but the first set returned after a year and the other disappeared.