Renaissance · Europe · Exploration

1577

Drake Begins Circumnavigation

December 13, 1577

Francis Drake slipped out of Plymouth with five ships and a secret Elizabethan commission to raid Spanish shipping on the Pacific coast of South America. Only the Golden Hind would complete the three-year voyage around the world, returning fat with looted silver and charts Elizabeth locked away as state secrets.

More from 1577 Renaissance

In context

Also in 1577 (3 other events on record)

Akbar Founds Din-i Ilahi · South Asia · Religion
El Greco Settles in Toledo · Europe · Culture
Ricci Joins the Jesuits · Europe · Religion

Before and after in Europe

Before: 1576: Bodin Publishes Les Six Livres
After: 1578: Catacombs of Rome Rediscovered

Before and after in Exploration

Era

Renaissance (1501–1650), one of 715 events from that era on Saeculum.