Mendoza's man, Don Pedro steals all Dee's papers and he is forced to make a false astrology chart so the superstitious Queen refuses to allow Drake to sail to Ostend where some Spanish ships are holed up and rescue some English prisoners on them as well as liberating the captured cargo.

Drake tries to persuade Elizabeth to let him raid Santo Domingo (now capital of the island, Dominican Republic) where the fort is not yet fully armed and is loaded with gold.

Held by a Countess (Delphi Lawrence) in a prison in Calais, Ambassador Mendoza in his slimy way threatens the Queen that King Phillip will have the French execute Oakeshott unless Drake (or "El Drako", the English Dragon of the title) is hung.

After a disastrous first trip, Drake returns to find out that there are only 13 men (from the original 35) defending the garrison and Sir Miles (Laurence Naismith) has been pocketing the money.

King Phillip II (Zia Mohyeddin) 15-year-old son, Carlos (Joseph Cuby) is due to marry Mariella of Naples (Francesca Annis) to ally Italy with Spain.

Roger Delgado as the villain again, but here he is Governor, Don Frederico Martinez di Acuna of Villa Real, King Phillip's viceroy to Santa Marta.

He drugs guest John Hawkins (Ronald Leigh-Hunt) and frames him for theft, threatening to cut off his hand and hang him if Drake does not give up the Golden Hind as ransom for his life.

The Golden Hind is in urgent need of supplies so they put into Tobago where Drake finds that the locals and British prisoners are being used as slave labour to mine gold for Spain.

A long way from home, Drake reveals that his real purpose is to sail around Tierra Del Fuego and up the coast of Chile where there will be Spanish treasure ships.

John Drake, Sir Francis's nephew, joins Thomas Stukeley's (Kieron Moore) expedition to colonise America.

Elizabeth sends Drake to bring the Duchess (Mary Merrall) back to England so the Spanish cannot use her to threaten her people to stop resisting them.

Led by Pastora (Eileen Way who played a number of evil hags), the small group cause trouble on the Golden Hind, even trying to sink it.

An English goldsmith (Adam Forrester played by Robin Hughes) with loyalty to Spain gives Elizabeth false information so Drake will not attack a treasure ship necessary to help finance the Spanish Armada.

Drake is held prisoner by a sadistic Governor (Barry Morse) and after a failed escape attempt ends up in front of a firing squad.

The complete series is out on DVD and includes a still showing Terence Morgan as Sir Francis Drake playing bowls, alluding to the famous incident when the Spanish Armada was sighted.