Edmund Howes, who may have obtained his information from the man himself, wrote that Drake voluntarily provided three frigates for the Earl of Essex’s forces in Ireland, and that he served Essex with distinction by sea and land in the capture of ‘divers’ strong fortresses. This is an exaggeration, because familiarity with Essex’s forays in Ireland reveals few encounters with stone houses, let alone enemy fortresses, and little in the way of naval action. There is one exception: the capture of Rathlin Island, and the records of Essex’s expedition confirm that Drake was indeed engaged for that service and discharged soon after it was completed.

John Sugden, Sir Francis Drake, loc. 348