Adventures of Francis Drake

My aim is simple: immersive historical maritime adventure rooted in history. This Adventures of Francis Drake tag page highlights my collection of pages for my maritime history fiction. Here you’ll follow Drake from Devon apprentice to audacious mariner—and see the research that keeps each scene true to the 16th century. You’ll find progress updates from my novel Sic Parvis Magna, short stories such as A Fool’s Errand and Retribution, and working notes on 16th century ships such as the Tiger. I also write about period navigation, faith, and background to the Tudor times. Last, you’ll find newsletters of my progress.

Box Hauling in Naval Historical Fiction: A Dangerous Sailing Maneuver
A behind-the-scenes research note on the sailing maneuver known as box hauling, and how it shaped a scene in the historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna. Inspired by the exciting club hauling scene from Pirates of the Caribbean, I attempt to work out if a sixteenth-century galleon could plausibly execute the maneuver.
An Advance Reader Opportunity Is Coming for Sic Parvis Magna
An advance reader campaign is coming for Sic Parvis Magna, my historical fiction novel about the young Francis Drake. Up to 100 selected readers will receive a digital advance copy before publication.
Sic Parvis Magna Draft 3 Update
A quick update of Draft 3 of Sic Parvis Magna—the origin story of the future Sir Francis Drake, and Book 1 in my Adventures of Francis Drake historical fiction series. Read below for more information about the book and for the link for more information.
My October 2025 Newsletter is available
I am pleased to restart the publication of my historical fiction newsletters.
1555 Philip and Mary Shillings
Few artifacts capture the complex political and religious landscape of 16th-century England as vividly as the Philip and Mary shilling. Issued during the reign of Mary I of England and her husband, Philip II of Spain, these coins are a reminder of religious upheaval and intense power struggles that marked Francis Drake's passage into adulthood.
Sic Parvis Magna Meaning: Francis Drake's Motto Explained
In this post, I look at how the phrase became linked to Drake, what it suggests about his rise, and why it became the title of my Tudor-era historical fiction novel.
Historical Fiction Novel Sic Parvis Magna Update: 80k words!
I am pleased to announce that the manuscript of the historical novel Sic Parvis Magna, the start-of-series of the Adventures of Francis Drake just crossed 80k words.
Francis Drake's Ship the Tiger: History Behind the Fiction
What kind of ship did Francis Drake first sail on? In this behind-the-scenes post about the research that went into writing Sic Parvis Magna, I explore the real historical vessels—like the Gresham Ship, and the Newport Ship—that helped shape my portrayal of Drake's early years at sea on a armed merchantman the Tiger. From piracy to trade this post is a deep dive into the ships that helped to forge a legend.
Announcement: Retribution Historical Short Story Released
Release announcement of Retribution, a short story in the historical fiction series Adventures of Francis Drake.