* Sir Francis Drake was an English privateer who sailed around the world from 1577 to 1580. He was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth I to attack Spanish ships and settlements in the Americas. He successfully raided Spanish ports and ships, seizing vast amounts of treasure. His circumnavigation of the globe was a major feat of exploration and made him a national hero in England.
* Thomas Cavendish was another English privateer who followed in Drake's footsteps. He sailed around the world from 1586 to 1588, again with the intention of raiding Spanish ships and settlements. While he was successful in capturing a Spanish galleon laden with treasure, his expedition was plagued by hardship and ended in tragedy.
It's important to note that the term "pirate" was not used at the time. These men were privateers, meaning they were commissioned by their governments to attack enemy ships. However, they were often considered to be pirates by their enemies, especially the Spanish.