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Sir Francis Drake, Vice Admiral (1540 – 27 January 1596), was an English sea captain, privateer, navigator, slaver and politician of the Elizabethan era. Queen Elizabeth I awarded Drake a knighthood in 1581. Sir Francis Drake was second-in-command of the English fleet against the Spanish Armada in 1588, subordinate only to Charles Howard and the Queen herself. Sir Francis Drake died of dysentery in January 1596 after unsuccessfully attacking San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Sir Francis Drake exploits were legendary, making him a hero to the English but a pirate to the Spaniards to whom he was known as El Draque, "Draque" being the Spanish pronunciation of "Drake". His name in Latin was Franciscus Draco ("Francis the Dragon"). King Philip II of Spain was claimed to have offered a reward of 20,000 ducats (about £4m or $6m by modern standards) for his life.
Sir Francis Drake is famous for (among other things) sailing around the world, returning to England in 1580.
The Limited Edition Miniature Sir Francis Drake Rapier Sword by Marto of Toledo Spain is a reproduction of the sword used by this famous pirate.
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