Was sir Francis drake popular

Yes, Sir Francis Drake was a popular figure in his time, celebrated as a skilled navigator and privateer. He gained fame for his circumnavigation of the globe between 1577 and 1580, making him the first Englishman to achieve this feat. Additionally, his role in defeating the Spanish Armada in 1588 further solidified his reputation as a national hero in England. However, he was also viewed as a pirate by Spain, which saw him as a notorious enemy.