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Early Elizabethan England, 1558–88

Exploration and voyages of discovery

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 2 booklet B

Overview

The galleon, the astrolabe, the log and line, better charts, why merchants wanted new markets, Drake's voyage round the world from 1577 to 1580, its treasure, Nova Albion and its significance.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What was a galleon, and why did it suit long ocean voyages?

Key term

Why were English merchants pressing for new routes and markets?

Numbers

When did Drake sail around the world?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What was a galleon, and why did it suit long ocean voyages?

    Model answer

    A large ship with several masts and a slimmer hull that could carry heavy cargo and heavy guns over great distances.

  2. 2

    How did the astrolabe help a sailor out of sight of land?

    Model answer

    It measured the height of the sun or a star above the horizon, letting him work out how far north or south he was.

  3. 3

    What was the log and line used for at sea?

    Model answer

    Judging a ship’s speed by counting how much knotted rope ran out over a measured period.

  4. 4

    How did better charts assist exploration?

    Model answer

    They recorded coastlines, currents and hazards found on earlier voyages, so later captains no longer sailed blind.

  5. 5

    Why were English merchants pressing for new routes and markets?

    Model answer

    The cloth trade with Europe had slumped, and they wanted fresh customers and goods such as spices, silks and sugar.

  6. 6

    When did Drake sail around the world?

    Model answer

    He left England in 1577 and returned in 1580.

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AThe huge loss of life left England short of workers.
BForeign craftsmen and labourers were wanted.
CCompetition for work also bred resentment.

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