History Extra Podcast: "Tudor Explorers: Everything You Wanted to Know"

Release Date: December 1, 2024

Introduction

In the milestone 1500th episode of the History Extra Podcast, hosted by Gerry Broughton, Professor of Renaissance Studies at Queen Mary University of London, listeners are treated to a comprehensive exploration of Tudor-era exploration. This episode, titled "Tudor Explorers: Everything You Wanted to Know," delves deep into the motivations, key figures, and broader geopolitical context that shaped England's ventures into the world during the Tudor period.

Challenging the Term "Explorers"

Gerry Broughton opens the discussion by questioning the appropriateness of labeling Tudor-era figures like Francis Drake and Walter Raleigh as "explorers."

Gerry Broughton [02:30]: "When we think about Tudor exploration and we talk a lot about Francis Drake and Walter Raleigh, they are absolutely Johnny come latelys, they are following in the footsteps usually of the Spanish."

Broughton emphasizes that by the late 15th century, much of the world had already been mapped by Europeans. Therefore, Tudor ventures were less about discovering unknown lands and more about catching up with Spanish and Portuguese advancements in trade, empire-building, and political influence.

Key Figures in Tudor Exploration

The episode examines several prominent figures of the Tudor exploration era:

• John Cabot: An Italian working for Henry VII, Cabot's 1497 voyage to Newfoundland marked the first English reach to North America since the Vikings. His primary interest lay in fishing rights rather than pure exploration.

  Kev Lottchen [06:01]: "She's so called favorite, she gave him money, she supported all his mad projects in Ireland and the Americas."

• Sir Walter Raleigh: Known for his expeditions to the Americas and the ill-fated search for El Dorado in Venezuela. Raleigh's ventures were driven by both personal ambition and national conflict, particularly against Spanish interests.

• Sir Francis Drake: Renowned for his circumnavigation of the globe (1577-1580), Drake's voyages were primarily raiding expeditions against Spanish holdings rather than exploratory missions.

• Sir John Hawkins: Infamous for his involvement in the early English slave trade and privateering against Spanish ships in West Africa.

• Anthony Jenkinson: A merchant and trader, Jenkinson's travels extended to meeting significant figures like Suleiman the Magnificent and Ivan the Terrible, showcasing the interconnectedness of trade and exploration.

• Martin Frobisher & Humphrey Gilbert: Both pursued the elusive Northwest Passage, representing the Tudor obsession with finding new trade routes to break Spanish Portuguese monopolies.

• William Harborne: The first English ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, Harborne exemplifies the blend of diplomacy and trade in Tudor expansion efforts.

Motivations Behind Tudor Ventures

The driving forces behind Tudor exploration were multifaceted, with a strong emphasis on trade, finance, and empire-building, rather than mere discovery.

Gerry Broughton [07:32]: "I think it is primarily about trade, it is about finance."

The Tudor government's motivations were closely tied to economic survival, especially after England's excommunication in 1570 pushed the nation towards seeking new trade alliances and breaking into markets previously dominated by Spain and Portugal.

Additionally, the Reformation played a critical role in shaping Tudor exploration, as the excommunication of Elizabeth I necessitated the search for new alliances and economic opportunities.

The Impact of the Reformation and Geopolitical Shifts

The Reformation and subsequent excommunication of Elizabeth I in 1570 were pivotal in shaping England's exploratory endeavors. These events pushed England to seek new alliances and trade routes, leading to the establishment of joint-stock companies like the East India Company (1600) and the Virginia Company.

Gerry Broughton [21:06]: "Elizabeth comes to the throne in 1558. She's increasingly being marginalized. Officially, she is still part of the Catholic Church because, you know, these things take time to work through. And finally, in 1570, a papal bull is published that formally excommunicates her and says she is a heretic."

The Battle of Alcazar Kebir (1578) further destabilized Iberian politics by resulting in Philip II's control over Portugal, eliminating England's ability to play Portugal and Spain against each other. This consolidation of power by Philip II set the stage for increased conflict, culminating in events like the Spanish Armada.

Privateering and the Rise of Early Capitalism

Privateering emerged as a significant aspect of Tudor exploration. Figures like Drake and Raleigh engaged in state-sanctioned piracy against Spanish interests, enriching both themselves and England.

Gerry Broughton [27:25]: "They are enriching themselves, they're enriching the state, but officially they're doing private raids on the Spanish."

Simultaneously, the rise of joint-stock companies represented the early stages of capitalism, allowing merchants to pool resources for large-scale voyages with the hope of significant profits.

Gerry Broughton [29:11]: "The joint stock companies are ... they are early capitalist ventures where merchants put their money together to fund voyages, hoping for profitable returns."

The Dark Side: Slavery and Colonization

The episode does not shy away from the darker aspects of Tudor exploration, particularly the early involvement in the slave trade.

Gerry Broughton [39:21]: "English Protestantism is pretty strategic about jumping into that world. Hawkins, we know, is taking slaves from West Africa over to the Caribbean."

While England's participation in the slave trade was not as pronounced as that of Spain and Portugal during the Tudor era, figures like Sir John Hawkins laid the groundwork for its expansion in later centuries.

Additionally, the colonization efforts in Ireland served as a precursor to American plantations, marked by brutal policies aiming at subjugation and land appropriation.

Gerry Broughton [36:50]: "Tudor policy towards Ireland is very much about crushing it as a Catholic power... their description of the Irish is that they're wild, they're savage."

Funding and Logistics of Voyages

Exploratory voyages during the Tudor period were primarily privately funded rather than state-sponsored. Wealthy individuals, merchants, and joint-stock companies bore the financial risks and rewards of these expeditions.

Gerry Broughton [29:11]: "The joint stock companies are ... early capitalist ventures where merchants put their money together to fund voyages."

Privateers often relied on personal investments or backing from court favorites, while joint-stock companies democratized funding, allowing broader participation from investors seeking profits.

Legacy and Misconceptions

Broughton highlights several misconceptions about Tudor exploration:

1. Exploration vs. Privateering: Tudor voyages were less about discovery and more about economic gain and political maneuvering.

2. England's Power: Contrary to popular belief, England during the Tudor period was not a dominant global power but a struggling nation attempting to find its place amidst established empires.

3. Multicultural London: Far from being an insular, exclusively white and Christian society, London was a vibrant, multicultural hub engaged in extensive trade with diverse cultures, including Islamic and Persian empires.

Gerry Broughton [45:29]: "We have to really rewrite that story... it's a multicultural hub."

Conclusion

Gerry Broughton's insightful analysis paints a nuanced picture of Tudor exploration, challenging simplistic narratives of heroic discovery and national pride. Instead, he presents a complex interplay of economic necessity, geopolitical tensions, and cultural exchanges that defined England's ventures into the broader world during the Tudor era.

Gerry Broughton [45:29]: "It's far more interesting than a bunch of ginger bearded men going to the Americas. It's far more interesting than that."

Listeners are encouraged to revisit the History Extra Podcast for more in-depth discussions and to explore further episodes that continue to unravel the intricacies of historical narratives.

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