**CLPRA scripts are working drafts for recording sessions. Recorded performances may vary due to editing for broadcast.** Links key: CLP Atlas Informational (with hover) Online Books CLP Author page CLP Intern

Sir Francis Drake (1545-96) http://tinyurl.com/FDrake

Click the below to hear radio segment.

Plate of Brass

From "The Plate of Brass."

Reader: Daniel Maloney

California's debt to its Hispanic heritage is so great and obvious, that it's easy to forget that one of the most intriguing stories of California exploration involved an Englishman.

In 1579, Sir Francis Drake was plundering Spanish treasure ships in the Pacific. Somewhere near San Francisco Bay, Drake put in for repairs, and, according to one chronicler, claimed California for the English Queen by placing upon the shore a brass plaque. In 1937 a brass plate was found in Marin County bearing this inscription:

Image of the so-called "Drake's plate of brass." Larger.

BEE IT KNOWNE VNTO ALL MEN BYH THESE PRESENTS
IVNE 17 1579
BY THE GRACE OF GOD AND IN THE NAME OF HERR
MAIESTY QVEEN ELIZABETH OF ENGLAND AND HERR
SVCCESSORS FOREVER I TAKE POSSESSION OF THIS
KINGDOME WHOSE KING AND PEOPLE FREELY RESIGNE
THEIR RIGHT AND TITLE IN THE WHOLE LAND VNTO HERR
MAIESTIES KEEPEING NOW NAMED BY ME AN TO BEE
KNOWNE VNTO ALL MEN AS NOVA ALBION

Modern tests have shown that the Marin plate is probably a forgery, but even if it were real, Drake's brief visit to "New Albion" did nothing to discourage Spanish colonization of the Californias.