The 1585 Sacking of Ribeira Grande: Sir Francis Drake & Cape Verde
In the late 16th century, the archipelago of Cape Verde (Cabo Verde) was not the peaceful, democratic “success story” it is known as today. Instead, it was a vital, strategic hub of the burgeoning Transatlantic slave trade and a key territorial asset of the Iberian Union—the political unification of the crowns of Portugal and Spain. It was this strategic importance that placed the islands, specifically the capital of Ribeira Grande, directly in the crosshairs of one of history’s most famous naval commanders: Sir Francis Drake.
The Strategic Prize: Ribeira Grande in 1585
Located on the island of Santiago, the largest island in the archipelago, Ribeira Grande (known today as Cidade Velha) holds the distinction of being the first permanent European settlement in the tropics. By 1585, it had grown from a small 15th-century outpost into a prosperous commercial center. Its wealth was driven by the trade of manufactured goods, rum, and cloth in exchange for African slaves, ivory, and gold.
However, the geopolitical landscape changed dramatically in 1580 when King Philip II of Spain claimed the Portuguese throne, creating the Iberian Union. For England, then under the rule of Queen Elizabeth I, this unification represented a massive threat. The English began to target Portuguese territories as a way to weaken the Spanish Empire. Cape Verde, sitting 570 kilometers off the West African coast at a crossroads of Atlantic shipping lanes, was an irresistible target for English privateers.
Enter Sir Francis Drake: The 1585 Campaign
Sir Francis Drake, the legendary English sea captain and privateer, was commissioned by Elizabeth I to lead a major expedition against Spanish interests in the New World. His fleet consisted of approximately 21 ships and 2,000 men. The Cape Verde islands were chosen as the first major stop of the campaign, intended to serve as a staging ground and a source of much-needed provisions.
In November 1585, Drake’s fleet arrived at Santiago. The goal was simple: capture Ribeira Grande, seize its wealth, and secure supplies for the long voyage across the Atlantic toward the Caribbean.
The Sacking of the City
The English forces landed at the nearby port of Praia and marched overland to surprise Ribeira Grande. The defense of the city was hampered by the rugged volcanic terrain and the fact that the Portuguese settlers were largely unprepared for an assault of this magnitude. Drake’s men successfully occupied the city, but they did not find the vast quantities of gold and silver they had anticipated.
Frustrated by the lack of immediate plunder and the refusal of the local authorities to pay a heavy ransom, Drake ordered the systematic sacking of the city. For several weeks, the English occupied the settlement, looting the churches and homes. Before departing, Drake ordered the town to be burned to the ground as a final act of hostility against the Iberian Union.
A Bitter Victory: The Fever and the Aftermath
While the military operation was a success, the occupation proved costly for Drake’s crew. While stationed on Santiago, a devastating tropical disease—likely yellow fever or malaria—ripped through the English ranks. By the time the fleet set sail for the West Indies, hundreds of men had died, and many more were weakened. This “Cape Verde fever” would haunt the expedition for months, significantly reducing the effectiveness of Drake’s later attacks on Santo Domingo and Cartagena.
For Ribeira Grande, the 1585 attack was a turning point. Although the city was rebuilt, the vulnerability exposed by Drake (and a subsequent French attack in 1712) led to its gradual decline. The capital was eventually moved to the more defensible Praia in 1770, leaving Ribeira Grande to become “Cidade Velha” (Old City), which today is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Legacy of the Conflict
Today, Cape Verde is a stable representative democracy and a leader in renewable energy, but the ruins of Cidade Velha serve as a haunting reminder of its turbulent colonial past. The 1585 sacking by Francis Drake was more than a mere pirate raid; it was an early chapter in the global struggle for maritime supremacy.
Fast Facts about the 1585 Attacks:
- Location: Ribeira Grande (now Cidade Velha), Santiago Island, Cape Verde.
- Commander: Sir Francis Drake, leading a fleet of 21 ships.
- Political Context: The attack occurred during the Iberian Union, making the Portuguese islands fair game for English enemies of Spain.
- Consequence: The city was largely destroyed by fire, and the English fleet was decimated by tropical disease.
- Historical Significance: It marked one of the first major engagements of the Anglo-Spanish War in the Atlantic theater.
For modern travelers visiting the sun-drenched islands of Cabo Verde, standing among the volcanic stone ruins of the Se Cathedral or looking out from the Royal Fortress of San Felipe offers a direct connection to the era when Drake’s sails first appeared on the horizon, changing the course of the archipelago’s history forever.
Image: Pexels – damien Saillet
