THE PIONEERS WHO BLAZED THE TRAIL FOR EMPIRE

In the 16th century, while Spain and Portugal colonised Africa and the Americas, English explorers set their sights on new routes to China. Margaret Small follows in the footsteps of adventurers whose discoveries paved the way for international trade – and a global empire

Exploration was sparked by a collapse in European markets for English goods Drake, Ralegh, Hawkins: some of the most famous names in English exploration belong to the Elizabethan period – yet these individuals did not make the biggest contributions to English exploration. They expanded English geographical horizons, but they were to a degree re-treading ground the Spanish had already explored. Until Elizabeth’s reign, England’s engagement with exploration was minimal when compared with every other western European country. By the time of Elizabeth’s accession in 1558, the Spanish and Portuguese between them had explored far into the interior of the Americas, Africa and Asia, and founded colonies all over the world, while even the French and the Germans had made persistent attempts at transoceanic colonisation. By the end of the 16th century, however, English…

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The Story of the Elizabethans (Digital) - 1 Issue, The Story of the Elizabethans 2020

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