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Historical Fiction of Paul Jariabek

Adventures of Francis Drake

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Here is an archive of my historical fiction book reviews. Although I read broadly, I primarily enjoy reading historical fiction that is set in a period over 50-100 years ago. The traditional “cut off” point for historical fiction is 50 years or more, but to me, “historical” fiction should be older than I am.

Portrait of a young Francis Drake

Who Was Francis Drake? Exploring the Legend Behind the Historical Fiction Novel Sic Parvis Magna

The tiny, cramped bay of San Juan de Ulúa erupted into chaos as the sun approach its zenith overhead. The air, moments ago filled with the gentle lapping of waves in between closely moored ships, now crackled with cannon and musket fire and the clash of steel. Francis Drake, barely twenty-eight, burst from his cabin aboard the Judith, sword in hand. This was his first command as a captain. His eyes widened at the sight of Spanish Marines swarming over the rails, their faces twisted with rage. “Heretics!” they cried, their blades flashing. As Drake parried a vicious thrust, his mind raced. How had it come to this? The truce, the promises of safe harbor – all shattered in an instant. San Pedro’s cannon roared. In that moment, as the smell of gunpowder and blood filled his nostrils, Francis Drake knew that his life would never be the same.

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Sir Francis Drake with his Coat Of Arms with the inscription of Sic Parvis Magna

Sic Parvis Magna Meaning

The meaning of Sic Parvis Magna is from small beginnings, greatness. This is the title of the first book of the historical fiction series Adventures of Francis Drake.

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Historical Fiction Novel Sic Parvis Magna part of cover

Historical Fiction Novel Sic Parvis Magna

The historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna is the coming of age story of Francis Drake—a farm boy before his notoriety as a pirate who spectacularly raided the Spanish Main, or his fame as a circumnavigator and bold admiral who “singed Phillip’s beard.”

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Sic Parvis Magna Image: Historical Fiction of Paul Jariabek Halberdier overlaid onto an antique map of the Tavistock Area

Sic Parvis Magna Update and Opening Scene

Had nothing happened, the 8-year-old, ruddy-haired Francis might have followed 300 years of family tradition. He lived in Tavistock, a small village in southwest England. He might have become a tenant farmer, tending to the land and husbanding the animals, or would have followed his father’s footsteps, becoming a preacher, living out his life in quietude and never venturing outside of the village. And history would not have taken a second glance.
But as it pleased the Almighty, the events of 1548 thrust his life in a very different direction. Little did he know that in mere six years, he would be on his way to become one of the greatest mariners, a legendary English admiral, and a feared pirate ‘El Draque,’ the sworn enemy of the Spanish Crown.

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First Scene from Historical Fiction Novel Sic Parvis Magna, using Habeldier by Jacopo Pantoromo

Character Sketch of Francis Drake

The historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna introduces us to a very young Francis Drake—long before his pirate raids in the Caribbean, his circumnavigation of the world, Cadiz, the Spanish Armada, and the fame (or perhaps infamy) that those actions brought him. This character sketch is part of the research for the book. While I base it on history, this is not a historical retelling. I attempt to imagine Drake’s early formative experiences to understand what he may think and do, as well as why. I then incorporated this research to carry forward the story, both in the novel Sic Parvis Magna and the rest of the naval historical fiction series Adventures of Francis Drake. 

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