A few weeks ago I did a series of posts about Buckland Abbey , but I left out it’s most famous owner, Sir Francis Drake.
Buckland was paid for with Drake’s earnings – or plundering on his early voyages. The treasures he brought home to Queen Elizabeth 1 provided him with wealth and his title. Even though he had no children his heirs lived at Buckland for eight generations, until the 1940’s.
The most famous anecdote is of how he supposedly continued a game of bowls on Plymouth Hoe, saying that their was plenty of time to deal with the approaching Spanish Armada afterwards.
Artifacts relating to his journeys can be seen at Buckland, the most important being a late 16th century drum, decorated with Drake’s coat of arms, one of the oldest surviving in Europe, and possibly one of thirteen bought in 1595 for his last voyage. The drum is said to beat if England is in danger, most recently during the Second World War just before Dunkirk was evacuated, spooky eh?
In 1596, as he lay dying of dysentery, he is reputed to have asked to be dressed in his full armor. He was buried at sea in a lead coffin, near Portobelo. Here are a few of Bucklands Drake treasures.
Sir Francis is the knight in this chess set.
Plotting his course.
Across the oceans.
A beautiful golden miniature.
The drum, lets hope it doesn’t sound.
A scaled replica. 
The man himself.
Drakes Coat of Arms.
Lucid Gypsy 
Thanks Gilly A interesting insight into such an enigmatic person
wonderful chess set and ship replicas!
Finally the drum! Thank you …always wanted to bang it as a child!
Naughty, naughty!
Thanks, I went back to look at it because it’s such poor quality and saw that it was upside down, now that’s asking for a haunting!
Such extraordinary character and adventurer – I just love thinking of the lives of people like Drake, and what they dreamed, and then set about living … So sad to think his line died out for good just a few decades ago – though i doubt any of them came near to his verve and derring do!
Love that chess set Gilly! Beautiful photo’s hon and thanks for the lovely tour and for sharing. 🙂 *hugs*
Wonderful pictures and history lesson, another place I hope to one day be able to visit. 🙂
How fascinating Gilly! The chess pieces look fabulous.
History is a wonder and the opportunity to see pieces of it is mind-bending. As much as I enjoy ALL your ‘tours’, this one feels like the best yet. Thank you for sharing, Gilly.
Wonderful post. I love the ship under the glass.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
This is so great, Gilly. I particularly loved the history lesson. 🙂 Thanks for sharing
Interesting information with captivating photo’s. So very well done, Gilly.
I love the chess set, too, as have others … and … I don’t even play.
Toodles,
Issy
Love the Golden Hind replica and miniature, Gilly. What a lovely tour around you had. 🙂
Well, actually, the drum was a befittingly up-side down, as was the world when Sir Drake sailed the 7 seas… come to think of it, not much has changed there… and in response to the poster: wonderlust gene… As many places, and pilferages as Sir Drake carried out… I some how seriously doubt his line completely died out for good..
God Bless
paul