Jacques Francis, also known as Jaques Frauncys, (c. 1527 – after February 1548) was an African salvage diver who led the expedition to salvage King Henry VIII's guns from the Mary Rose.
Records at the time described him as a "Guinea diver" and exceptionally talented.
[2] Francis and his team were also tasked with salvaging valuables from the Sancta Maria and Sanctus Edwardus merchant ships which sank off the coast of Southampton.
[4] During this expedition, Corsi was accused by Domenico Erizzo of theft.
[citation needed] Despite being the first African person to be recorded in court, his legal recognition during the trial did not set a precedent towards the legal status of black individuals in the future.