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Secondary sourceDocument1595

Vera Totius Expeditionis Nauticae

Jodocus Hondius I · 1595

A 1595 world map tracing the route of Drake's circumnavigation, with inset views of his ship and his landing in California.

This map records and commemorates the route of Drake's famous circumnavigation voyage.

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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.
Jodocus Hondius I, Vera Totius Expeditionis Nauticae, 1595.

About this source

What it is

This world map, made by Jodocus Hondius I around 1595, records the route of Francis Drake's circumnavigation of the globe between 1577 and 1580, alongside that of Thomas Cavendish's later voyage. It shows two hemispheres with decorative ships, sea monsters, a coat of arms, and corner illustrations including Drake's ship the Golden Hind and his landing at Nova Albion in present-day California.

Why it matters

Maps like this spread the story of Drake's voyage across Europe and shaped how people pictured the wider world, while also showing how little of some continents' interiors was actually known at the time. It reflects the excitement and national pride that English voyages of exploration and plunder generated.

  • Why do you think the map leaves the interiors of continents blank?
  • What does including images of Drake's ship on a world map suggest about his fame?
  • Whose knowledge and labour made a voyage like this possible, and are they shown on the map?

This document 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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Side view of a dark-hulled wooden replica galleon with red and yellow trim, carved arches, a blue heraldic shield with a golden animal on the bow, and masts with rigging, moored beside a brick building in Southwark, London.Artifact

Secondary source

Golden Hind

1575 (as Pelican); renamed 1578

Circular miniature portrait of a bearded man with curly dark hair and a white ruff collar, wearing a white embroidered doublet with gold cords, against a bright blue background. Gold lettering reads 'Aetatis Suae 42' and 'Anno Domini 1581'.Painting

Primary source

Sir Francis Drake

Nicholas Hilliard · 1581

Three-quarter-length painted portrait of a bearded man in black clothing and a large white lace ruff, with a coat of arms and the date 1591 in the upper corners. He holds a hat at his side and a gold jewel hangs at his waist. A globe sits on a blue-green draped table at left.Painting

Primary source

Sir Francis Drake, 1540-96

Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger · 1591

Full-length painting of a woman in an elaborate black and gold-embroidered gown with a huge white lace ruff and pearl-studded jewelry, holding a globe with one hand. A jeweled crown sits on a table at left; a golden mermaid figure at right. Background panels show sailing ships on a calm sea and a stormy scene of ships battling waves.Painting

Primary source

Armada Portrait

Unknown English artist · 1588

Photograph of the Drake Jewel, a gold pendant set with rubies, diamonds and pearls, with a central oval cameo carved in brown stone showing a dark-skinned figure in profile. Two pearl drops hang below, displayed in a glass case.Artifact

Primary source

Drake Jewel

Nicholas Hilliard (miniatures); unknown goldsmith · c. 1586-88

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