Save Sir Francis Drake
"Fake News"
some people have chosen to create a false narrative about Drake's treatment of Black and Native Peoples of the World.
This has been extended to claims of Anglo-Saxon superiority and white supremacy.
"The Drake Cross is a symbol of white supremacy." 
Richard White: This Monument to White Supremacy Hides in Plain Sight
The actual purpose of the Drake Cross, usually called the Prayer Book Cross, was to commemorate the first English claim to the future United States, the first protestant church service in the future USA and the first use of the Book of Common Prayer in the future USA.
The Cross was paid for by George William Childs, a Philadelphia publisher, advocate for the Union during the Civil War and philanthropist.
The actual dedication ceremony text is available. The Right Rev. Bishop W. T. Nichol's focus was on Drake's accomplishments as the first Englishman to make a trip around the world. He invited guests to contemplate:
"It is fit and becoming that great historical events should be commemorated in public parks—in the resorting places of the people. They awaken inquiry and lead to investigation. They widen thought, arouse ambition and tend to action. Scientific men are to-day interpreting the habits, religion and peculiarities of the people who antedate any historical records, and the books of these savants are kindred to these stories."
There are no words of the higher authority of white people, of Englishmen, of Episcopalians or of the Protestant faiths. The ideas of "white supremacy" and "enshring Anglo-Saxonism" are not supported.
"Drake was a pirate."
petition to remove Drake's name
A pirate is someone who robs ships on his own account. Drake was a privateer. This is a position authorized by the Queen of England. This was an accepted and honorable profession in the 16th century.
"Sir Francis Drake does not stand for inclusivity."
petition to remove Drake's name
The truth is that Drake was one of the most inclusive, multi-cultural people in the 16th century. His extensive friendships with Native Peoples were bemoaned by Drake's enemies: they knew that Native Americans would help Drake, particularly against the Spanish.
Drake had people of many nationalities on board the Golden Hind. These included DeMorena (or DeMorera), a Spanish or Portugese pilot who traveled with Drake to New Albion. Drake allowed DeMorena to go free and DeMorena chose to stay in Marin County, and to then walk to Mexico, a trip which took four years. Another pilot of a different nationality aboard the Golden Hind in an earlier part of the trip was a Portuguese pilot, Nuño de Silva, who was released unharmed. As Sugden notes, "The most urgent concern of Spaniards who fell into Drake's hand was, of course, their own safety. Many expected to be killed, as was so often the manner of the day..." Yet, Drake killed or harmed none.
Drake was "loved" by Native Peoples and honored into the 20th century.
"Drake was a murderer."
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Most of these claims come from the Thomas Doughty affair. Drake had noblemen aboard his ships when he left England in 1577. This was a normal affair. The noblemen would travel on the ships to oversee their investments in the voyages. They would not be working crew members. Drake's voyage had a false narrative of trading to the east. Shortly after leaving England, the true destination was revealed: the new world. Doughty's actions led to a trial and execution on charges of mutiny. While harsh, this hardly constitutes a charge of murder against Drake, and, in fact, forms an important basis in English maritime law.
The historical record does not find Drake engaging in wanton murders or executions, Drake and the doctrine of the Church of England did not support torture and executions the way these were part of the Spanish Inquisition's support of Catholocism.
"Drake was a rapist."
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There are no credible accusations of rape against Drake. Even the exploits of his crews do not have such claims. The one matter of question has to do with "Maria," the Black slave woman freed by Drake late in his northern travels through the Spanish-controlled eastern Pacific. Shortly before the time of her release, or shortly thereafter, she became pregnant. One report says that she "being gotten with child on the ship." Miranda Kaufmann examines the Maria story in detail. Conditions aboard the Golden Hind, with strong religious underpinnings, little privacy and no evidence of Drake's personal involvement do not allow the assignment of "rape" to Drake's personal actions, and, unlikely, to his crew.
"Drake was a pillager."
pillage: to strip ruthlessly of money or goods by open violence, as in war; plunder:
A careful examination of Drake's travels up the coast of South and North Americ shows little violence. Drake used the element of surprise to achieve his goals without violence. In most cases, towns were raided without a conflict: the Spaniards fled. In one case, a single guard watched a stack of silver bars: on the English arrival, he fled and Drake's crew "relieved the man of his burden." Spanish ships often provided token resistance, then surrendered. Not one Spaniard was killed in the months of encounters. About three Spaniards were injured. This is hardly an expidtion of "pillaging." Authorized raiding, yes: pillaging, no.
"The Arrival of Drake [was] announced by cannon fire..."
Only Melissa Darby in her book, Thunder Go North, makes such a claim. All of the evidence points to a peaceful, friendly arrival at New Albion. Such a show of force would have been very uncharacteristic for Drake, risked turning local citizens hositleand wasted ammunition.
Claims of Anglo-Saxonism sucked in believers of the hoax Plate of Brass
Richard White: This Monument to White Supremacy Hides in Plain Sight
"The claims of Anglo-Saxonism sucked in the credulous and the supposedly sophisticated." Readers of the history of the hoax Plate of Brass see that it is a prank that got out of control. It was developed by members of E Clampus Vitus, "a historical drinking society" or a "drinking historical society." Nothing ties this to white supremacy or Anglo-Saxonism.
Claims of Anglo-Saxonism sucked in investors in the Drake Estate fraud
Richard White: This Monument to White Supremacy Hides in Plain Sight
The Drake Estate was a series of mail frauds in which people were led to believe they were the beneficiaries of Drake's unclaimed estate. This fraud ran for many years in the early parts of the 20th century. This is not a white supremacist or Anglo-Saxon conspiracy.
See www.savesirfrancisdrake.com
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