Sir Francis Drake (1540-1596), 1591 (oil on canvas)

Creator: Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger Drake was the second man to circumnavigate the world, 1577-1580, the first Englishman to do so and, given that Magellan was killed before his voyage was completed, the first commander of an expedition to return with full success. He is portrayed here with an array of accessories denoting his fame and achievements. The sword refers to his service to his country (especially in 1588 at the Spanish Armada), the globe to his circumnavigation of the world, and his coat of arms and the Drake Jewel - a gift from Queen Elizabeth I (now held on loan by the Victoria and Albert Museum) - both reveal his prominent social and economic status.