Throughout his life, Drake’s profound faith was arguably his most salient characteristic, and it provided the mainspring of his tempestuous career. There would be other motivations – patriotism, profit and personal grievances against the Spaniards – but none was greater than his Protestantism. Those who have portrayed him purely as an avaricious freebooter have underestimated both the religious climate of the day and Drake’s own intense piety. It was his confidence in God’s protection and the belief that God worked through him that gave him the courage to brave the greatest dangers.

John Sugden, Sir Francis Drake, loc. 54