Sir Francis Drake
Season 1
The adventures of Sir Francis Drake during the 1500's. Sir Francis is probably one of the most famous explorers of the high seas. The twenty six episodes of the series are about his explorations of many far off lands.
Where to Watch Season 1
26 Episodes
- The PrisonerE1
Episode 1The PrisonerThe Golden Hind sinks a Spanish ship and prisoners are bought aboard. Among them Countess Inez (Natasha Parry) who plans to repay Drake's kindnesses by sinking his ship using a long fuse made by Roberto (Warren Mitchell) from her cabin to the ship's gunpowder stored below. Drake evacuates his ship as time for its sinking comes close, staying on board with the Countess. - The Lost Colony of VirginiaE2
Episode 2The Lost Colony of VirginiaDrake pleads the case of the Virginia colony to Elizabeth against Daniel Peters (Charles Lloyd-Pack) who only wants any gold found and wants the colony shut down, and Walsingham (Richard Warner). We see Mendoza (who is the Spanish Ambassador to the court) for the first time. They discover a stowaway aboard on the way to Virginia, (Olive McFarland) who they take to her husband to be Tom Brewster (Barry Foster). The colonists leave as they have had enough of Indian attacks and bad supplies. - Doctor DeeE4
Episode 4Doctor DeeAn astrologer by the name of Doctor Dee is adviser to Queen Elizabeth, but his advice on the stars is not good news for Drake, who wants to sail to Ostend to rescue English prisoners. The Spanish Ambassador to England had a hand in this fake bad news and Drake wants to set the record straight in order to complete his mission. - The English DragonE6
Episode 6The English DragonThe queen sends Drake to Calais to rescue Lord Oakeshott, an English gentleman being held there on a charge of murder, but when Drake gets there he finds that Oakeshott is not a prisoner and appears to be a free man under the protection of a Countess. A lovesick young fool, Oakeshott is unwilling to leave. - Boy JackE7
Episode 7Boy JackQueen Elizabeth sends her godson Master Harrington on a mission as an emissary to deliver a message to her Portuguese ambassador, but learns en route that Philip of Spain has invaded Portugal. She must get word to Drake before Harrington lands and is captured. The English Ambassador to Portugal is being held prisoner by the Spanish and Drake must get him and Harrington back to England. - The Slaves of SpainE12
Episode 12The Slaves of SpainIt's 1579 and after a long voyage Drake lands on the island of Tobago in the Americas in search of fresh water and food supplies. He is surprised to find there is a Spanish goldmine there using captured English sailors as slave labour, and hatches a plan to free his countrymen and destroy the mine. - Drake on TrialE17
Episode 17Drake on TrialHugh Graveney, a Drake lookalike, uses a ship similar to the Golden Hind to seize loot from a surrendering Spanish ship then proceeds to slaughter all Spanish hands. What is thought to be the Golden Hind is eventually captured and when the Spanish realise who they have, the Spanish Ambassador uses him to turn the Dutch against England. Drake must convince the Queen that he took no part in the treachery he is accused of and sets out to catch the imposter. - The BridgeE18
Episode 18The BridgeSpain invades England's oldest ally Portugal, and imprisons its most active leaders in Castle Ortega. Artist and soldier Pedro de Vazim escapes and makes his way to England where the Queen enlists the help of Drake to secure the release of the Portuguese resistance leader Gazio. Drake, Gazio and de Vazim's sister Maria devise a plan to cross a castle bridge to make good their escape as the Golden Hind destroys the castle's cannon defences. - Mission to Paris
E20Episode 20Mission to ParisQueen Elizabeth is in love with the French Duke Alencon, and hopes to receive a marriage proposal. However since his return to France she has heard nothing further from him and suspects that his mother the French Queen Catherine de Medici has something to do with it. Elizabeth sends Drake to France to investigate. The French queen will stop at nothing to keep Drake from discovering the truth - that she has imprisoned her son in the Bastille to prevent any union with Elizabeth. - The GypsiesE22
Episode 22The GypsiesDrake rescues a boatload of gypsies, who, by their own account, were mercilessly abandoned in the sea by a ruthless Spanish ship's captain. However when Drake discovers the Spanish captain adrift in a boat he finds that the gypsies are not as innocent as they claim and must act before he and his crew suffer the same fate as the Spanish ship and her crew. - Court IntrigueE23
Episode 23Court IntrigueA traitorous English goldsmith returning from Spain gives Queen Elizabeth false information regarding an imminent attack by the Spanish Armada. The plan is to keep Drake in England and prevent him seizing a Spanish ship laden with gold, but the attack is little more than a minor skirmish by a band of Spaniards hoping to spread fear across England. Drake decides to intervene and kill two birds with one stone. - The Fountain of YouthE25
Episode 25The Fountain of YouthDrake intercepts a Spanish ship to find its cargo includes barrels of fresh water from an Indian well in Florida that the Spanish King believes will keep him healthy forever. Queen Elizabeth orders Drake to sail with Sir Henry Rainsford to Florida to investigate. There they form an alliance with the local tribal Princess to help free her father the Chief from the Spanish garrison.
