Primary sourceArtifact1595

Vera Totius Expeditionis Nauticae

Jodocus Hondius · 1595

A coloured map by Jodocus Hondius showing the route of Drake's circumnavigation of the globe.

This map traces Drake's own route around the globe during his famous circumnavigation.

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Coloured double-hemisphere world map titled Vera Totius Expeditionis Nauticae, engraved by Jodocus Hondius, showing the voyage routes of Francis Drake around the globe. Decorative cartouches, ships, and sea monsters frame the two circular maps; the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Terra Australis are labelled, and the title banner is at the top. — Jodocus Hondius, Vera Totius Expeditionis Nauticae, 1595 (coloured copy).

About this source

What it is

This coloured world map, titled Vera Totius Expeditionis Nauticae, was engraved by Jodocus Hondius in 1595. It shows the sea routes of Francis Drake's voyage around the world, decorated with cartouches, ships, and sea monsters.

Why it matters

Maps like this celebrated Drake's circumnavigation as a landmark achievement in European exploration. They also show how cartographers of the time combined real navigational knowledge with decorative imagination, and how England's rivalry with Spain was tied to maritime exploration.

Look closer

Why do you think the map includes decorative sea monsters and ships?
What does the map's accuracy (or inaccuracy) tell us about geographic knowledge in the late 1500s?
Why might mapmakers have wanted to highlight Drake's route specifically?

This artifact is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Sir Francis Drake on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Painting

Primary source

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Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger · 1591

Early modern world map in two hemispheres, oval-framed, with the title 'Vera Totius Expeditionis Nauticae' across the top. Decorated with ships, sea monsters, a coat of arms, and cartouches; Asia, America, Africa and Terra Australis are labeled.

Document

Secondary source