Merchant adventurers
Subtitle: the voyage of discovery that transformed Tudor England
By: James Evans
Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson; Orion Publishing Group, Limited
Published: 2013
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 383
ISBN-13: 9780297866886; 9780297866893
Subjects: Travel; History; Explorers; Biography; Voyages and travels; Discovery and exploration; Discoveries in geography; Company of Merchant Adventurers of England
Description: The spring of 1553 three ships sailed north-east from London into uncharted waters. The scale of their ambition was breathtaking. Drawing on the latest navigational science and the new spirit of enterprise and discovery sweeping the Tudor capital, they sought a northern passage to Asia and its riches. The success of the expedition depended on its two leaders: Sir Hugh Willoughby, a brave gentleman soldier, and Richard Chancellor, a brilliant young scientist and practical man of the sea. When their ships became separated in a storm, each had to fend for himself. Their fates were sharply divided. One returned to England, to recount extraordinary tales of the imperial court of Tsar Ivan the Terrible. The tragic, mysterious story of the other two ships has to be pieced together through the surviving captain's log book, after he and his crew became lost and trapped by the advancing Arctic winter. This long-neglected endeavour was one of the boldest in British history, and its impact was profound. Although the 'merchant adventurers' failed to reach China as they had hoped, their achievements would lay the foundations for England's expansion on a global stage. As James Evans' vivid account shows, their voyage also makes for a gripping story of daring, discovery, tragedy and adventure. --ppublisher's information.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: pt. I `Turning outward'; title: pt. II `Into the frozen sea'; title: pt. III `Merchant adventurers Of England'.