1540 CE - 1596 CE: Life of the celebrated Elizabethan mariner, privateer and explorer Sir Francis Drake.

1567 CE - 1568 CE: John Hawkins and Francis Drake lead an expedition to transport slaves from west Africa to the Spanish West Indies. The fleet is attacked at San Juan de Ulúa.

1572 CE - 1573 CE: Francis Drake explores Panama and seizes a Spanish silver mule train.

1575 CE: Francis Drake is involved in brutally repressing rebellions in Ireland.

1577 CE - 1580 CE: Francis Drake circumnavigates the world in his ship the Golden Hind.

1579 CE: Francis Drake captures the Spanish treasure ship Nuestra Señora de la Concepción (aka Cacafuego).

1581 CE: Elizabeth I of England knights Francis Drake after his circumnavigation of the globe.

1585 CE - 1587 CE: Sir Francis Drake attacks Spanish vessels and ports in the Spanish Main.

1587 CE: Sir Francis Drake attacks Cadiz.

1588 CE: The Spanish Armada of Philip II of Spain is defeated in its attempt to invade England.

1588 CE: Francis Drake sends fireships into the Spanish Armada of Philip II of Spain.

1588 CE: The English fleet attacks the Spanish Armada of Philip II of Spain at the Battle of Gravelines, forcing the Spanish to retreat homewards via the Scottish coast.

1589 CE: The Drake-Norris Expedition (aka English Armada or Don Antonio Expedition) attacks Lisbon and ships of Philip II of Spain. It is not successful.

1595 CE: John Hawkins and Francis Drake lead an unsuccessful expedition against Spanish ships and settlements in Panama and the Caribbean.

1596 CE: Sir Francis Drake dies of dysentery at Portobelo, Panama.