Francis Drake: Pirate,
Explorer or Privateer?
ACTIVITY 2: HOT SEAT RESOURCES
Key Stage 2 – Francis Drake: Pirate, Explorer or Privateer?
What is a
pirate?
Most pirates targeted
ships for their treasure
and any other
valuables.
Some pirates also
launched attacks on
coastal towns.
Barbary pirates attack a Spanish ship in the 17th century
Key Stage 2 – Francis Drake: Pirate, Explorer or Privateer?
Map by Abraham Ortelius, 1570
What is an
explorer?
In Francis Drake’s day, explorers from
many countries in Europe set sail
looking for new lands and new routes
to the fabulous wealth of ‘the East’.
Key Stage 2 – Francis Drake: Pirate, Explorer or Privateer?
What is a
privateer?
A privateer is a private
person or ship given
permission by a
government to attack
foreign shipping.
Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I
Key Stage 2 – Francis Drake: Pirate, Explorer or Privateer?
Welcome to
Tudor Question Time
Key Stage 2 – Francis Drake: Pirate, Explorer or Privateer?
Today’s
question
Francis Drake:
pirate, explorer
or privateer?
Key Stage 2 – Francis Drake: Pirate, Explorer or Privateer?
Our
panel
Sir Christopher Hatton © National Portrait Gallery
Map of Spain © iStockphotos
Key Stage 2 – Francis Drake: Pirate, Explorer or Privateer?
Elizabeth I,
Queen of England
About you
You and your country need new sources
of wealth and new markets for English goods.
How do you know Francis Drake?
You paid him £10,000 and gave him a
knighthood when he returned from
circumnavigating the globe.
Some people in your government certainly
support him and invest in his voyages.
People think you probably invested in his
circumnavigation, but you don’t really talk
about that – if the Spanish got wind of it, it
could start a war.
What do you think of him?
He’s an English hero.
He helped give England a strong reputation
as a maritime power.
Key Stage 2 – Francis Drake: Pirate, Explorer or Privateer?
Dan Pew,
Crew member of
Golden Hinde
About you
You are a sailor and a privateer. You make
your living going on journeys that are paid
for by wealthy investors.
If you bring back valuable goods – then you
get paid!
How do you know Francis Drake?
You sailed with him on his famous voyage
around the world.
You joined him on raids of Spanish ships
where you took all the treasure.
You were there when he tried to find the
North West Passage and claimed a new
territory for the Queen called Nova Albion, or
‘New England’.
What do you think of him?
He’s a privateer, like you. That’s how
you make a living.
Key Stage 2 – Francis Drake: Pirate, Explorer or Privateer?
Sir Christopher Hatton,
Investor
About you
You’re a wealthy courtier and close to the
Queen.
You invest your money in the arts and
maritime adventures.
How do you know Francis Drake?
You invested money in his famous voyage
around the world. You also sent your
secretary Thomas Doughty to make sure you
got your money’s worth.
Drake and Doughty didn’t get along and
Drake had Doughty executed for mutiny.
Then Drake renamed his ship in your honour,
after your family’s coat of arms – the Golden
Hinde.
Drake returned a massive profit on your
investment when he got back.
What do you think of him?
He’s a very good privateer.
Sir Christopher Hatton © National Portrait Gallery
Key Stage 2 – Francis Drake: Pirate, Explorer or Privateer?
Philip II,
King of Spain
About you
You are the world’s most powerful man,
head of the world’s richest country.
Your country has territories in the Americas.
Your ships bring back a lot of valuable gold
and silver from those countries.
How do you know Francis Drake?
He’s been sacking Spanish ports in the
Americas and stealing from your treasure
ships.
After he stole a lot of your treasure on his
circumnavigation, the English agreed to
return some of it.
You suspect the Queen of England has been
encouraging him to attack your ships. You’re
not happy about it.
What do you think of him?
He’s a pirate – there’s no excuse for his
behaviour.
Key Stage 2 – Francis Drake: Pirate, Explorer or Privateer?
San Juan de Anton,
Spanish ship captain
About you
You were the captain of a Spanish treasure
ship, nicknamed the Cacafuego.
How do you know Francis Drake?
Francis Drake came across your ship off the
west coast of South America.
He stole all your treasure and took you
prisoner.
Before he stole all the treasure he gave your
crew 30 or 40 pesos each.
And he gave you some silver, as well as a
pass that made sure no other English ships
would bother you.
What do you think of him?
You’d call him a pirate. But you respect him.
Map of Spain © iStockphotos