Jan's Memoir

Page 1

Sir Francis Drake Jan Zyndul


This is a photo that looks exactly the same as the one in my book. On the left there is obvoiusly Francis Drake resting his hand on a globe. In the other hand it looks he is holding a spy-glass. On the left is and emblem with his Motto “Sic Parvis Magna.” “Gratness from Small Begginings.” His motto makes sense to me because he started as a normal sailor on seas and developed into a hero. I think Drake was someone who just cared about helping his country but deep inside he wanted the fortune.

There is a quote by Drake, “There must be a beginning of nay great matter, but the continuing unto the end until it be thouroughly finished yields the true story.” I think that Drake is tryin to say the same words Marco Polo said on his death bed “I didi not tell half of what I saw, for I knew I would not be believed.” In my opinion both of them are trying to say that telling th whole stry ruins it and if they had a magnificent story no one that was there would believe them. This is evidence thatDrake was a very smart man. In my opinion this book is very interesting if you played one of the UIncharted games because it gives you a bigger understating if them. However if you did not you will still enjoy because everyone likes pirate stories and learning about nwise people makes you wise. So in general I liked this book. My book starts when Francis Drake only learns to sail, he also learns the ways of pirates and sailors. Then as he makes his career into a hero, he realizes how much he is capable of doing. Thus came his motto. Drake is not alone. He had a mentor John Hawkins until he passed away during a battle which Drake ran away from.


Jan Zyndul Ms. Cross LA8 E October, 2012

Matthew Drake

On the charming October morning cars and speed-bikes scattered down the street. The smell of exhaust mixed with a smell of fresh coffee and donuts coming from the café across the street made people sick, though when they went into the coffee shop it weren’t a problem and when they drove on the cars it wasn’t a problem either. Matt though about going into the café but he decide that October came too cold this year. As Matt headed to the London Library across from the cafe he gazed into his book like a dog to a bone marching faster than any other human yet not running. He did not notice the girl in front of him coming from the opposite direction, until a few meters later the big head-butt knocked them both down to the grass. Both of them gasped and groaned on the freshly moaned grass and apologized at the same time. Then as they looked at each other the laughter cheered them both up. They started to pick up their books and dust off their clothes when Matt realized that he’s reading the same exact book as the girl. He asked if she is researching Francis Drake. Confirmed she nodded her head and asked him if he might be interested in studying together. Of course Matt could not resist agreeing. "Rose," said the girl as her hand zipped in front of the boy she might fancy.


"Hard to believe but, Drake, Matthew Drake." was the reply that made the girl's jaw drop and eyes multiply in size. As they were sitting in the study room of the library both with at least five books and a laptop in front of them, Rose slowly shifted her head to Matt. Yet he did not react. "Are you really not fooling me with your last name?" Rose suspiciously questioned like a cop. "No, can we please get to work?" was the reply as he still made no eye contact with Rose. "Of course." she answered with a gasp. As Matt read the article he started to imagine wonderful things about Francis. Soon it became a feeling like he was there. *** The turquoise shell with white spots and a yellow shining spot covered the port as Drake’s magnificent ship hit the decks. People cheering him on, his team padding him on the back, shaking his hands, and making him feel special. He thanked and congratulated his crew as he made his way to home. The next morning as Francis woke up and delighted his belly with scrambled eggs and bacon, joined with a delicious cup of mint tea. As soon as he dressed into his daily clothes there was a knock on the door. Two tall men with humongous belt buckles and swords hanging right down from them stood right in front of Drake and greeted him. “Francis Drake, your arrival at the castle is mandatory on this day.” said the giant man on the right. “Then I shall be at the queen’s service immediately.” replied Drake not scared of the request for he knew that he could only be rewarded for his outstanding success.


As Drake headed to the palace, through the shortcut between the bakery and the butcher’s shop, he thought about John Hawkins, his fellow sailor though he knew he must attend the palace firstly. The gold decorated, heavy, metal to doors the queen’s hall opened as Francis looked around the room only with his eyes because it is rude to look around when attending the queen. Roman Catholic gargoyles were connecting the marble pillars and beneath Drake lay the longest red carpet he has ever seen. As Francis looked directly at the queen he immediately noticed another set of giant guards “Francis, my dear Francis. Not long have the news taken to me that your wealth and success increased overseas. Although most people across the sea consider you a robber and a pirate, to England you are a grat sailor. Your success and wealth is as much your own as England’s. For this you should be rewarded, making you knight I suppose is enough.” *** “Holy guacamolee, ballonee, giocatolee.” Matt popped his eyes in surprise. “Was she really that strait forward with him?” “Looks like it,” replied Rose with the same emotion. “I mean, I don’t think he was expecting that!.” “Well, I wonder what the knighting looked like.” Matt opened another book and popped a new note taker on his laptop. He was eager to learn more though he could not continue because the library was shutting down. “Hey, maybe you would wanna go to the café, it’s open until 11p.m.” Matt offered. “Yeah, I’d love to.” Was the girl’s immediate and enthusiastic reply.” As they sat down at the two people table in the corner of the café. They both lunged their eyes into the books and studied.


*** On the biggest day of his life Francis Drake, soon to be a Sir, he woke up immediately in the morning and went through his daily routine then headed to the palace though this time, something weird happened. As he made his way people greeted him as if the news spread faster than lightening. As soon as he turned into the alley between the butcher shop and the bakery, he clashed into his good friend, mentor, and fellow sailor, John Hawkins. “John! I was longing to see you at the ceremony today.” “I will be there my friend,” he replied. ”Mind if we walk together?” “Not at all.” was Drake’s answer. Then Hawkins’ gave Drake a jealous look behind his back. As they headed to the palace Drake’s nerves went crazy. People filled the lawn of the palace and as Drake felt the blade on his shoulders he felt different already. “A pirate over sea, a sailor to his country.” stated Elizabeth. *** “Look Matt, weather he was you ancestor or not, it is of no matter to me.” Then they got closer to each other and found a rare treasure in each other’s eyes.

Works Cited

Sir Francis Drake, C. 1540-1596. N.d. Sir Francis Drake: Slave Trader and Pirate. New York: Franklin Watts, 2009. 10. Print. Uncharted. Computer software. Sony Computer Entertainment, 20 Nov. 2007. Web. Sir Francis Drake, C. 1540-1596. N.d. Sir Francis Drake: Slave Trader and Pirate. New York: Franklin Watts, 2009. 10. Print.


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