The World Encompassed exhibition at Buckland Abbey celebrates Francis Drake’s famous voyage around the world, exploring his adventures and discoveries as well as his personal life at home at Buckland Abbey.
When Francis Drake returned from his circumnavigation of the globe, it was to a rapturous reception. The World Encompassed is an account of this voyage based on the notes and records of the crew members such as preacher Francis Fletcher that were first published in 1628. Fletcher extensive notes included being amazed at sights such as erupting volcanos in Cape Verde and marvelling at iced drinks in Morocco. They notes are accompanied by hand drawn pictures and give a remarkable insight into life on board an Elizabethan ship, as well as a snap shot of the expedition.
Throughout the abbey, certain items of the collection have been highlighted to help tell the stories of what happened on the journey. In the Nave gallery where the main exhibition is being held, the William Pym mural, a beautifully hand drawn map of the route Drake took around the world, is displayed. Also in the Nave gallery is Drake’s drum with explanations of its history, the myths and legends that surround it, and how the Trust acquired it. Opposite is a fantastic life sized ceramic drum created by local artist Fi Smart. The artwork depicts life at Buckland Abbey and includes images of the estate views, features of the rooms in the abbey and even a mini Rembrandt.
In order to share more about the voyage, there are two children’s trails to accompany the exhibition. Inside the house there is the penguin trail. During research into the manuscript it was discovered that a member of the crew, named ‘The Welshman’, discovered these odd creatures on Bartholomew Island and he called them ‘Pengwinns’, Welsh for ‘white shirt’. To tell the story of what occurred on Bartholomew Island, the indoor trail features 12 penguins that have escaped, dressed themselves up as members of the crew and hidden themselves around the Abbey. The children need to find the penguins, read the crew biography and complete the trail sheet.
Outside on the estate is the World Encompassed Passport trail. Visitors can collect their passport from Visitor Welcome for 50p and head out on the yellow route. Over the course of their walk, families will stop at key locations on Drake’s voyage and collect stamps depicting each of the countries he visited. Whilst on their own voyage, they will discover some of the key stories from the circumnavigation.
James Breslin, Buckland Abbey’s House & Visitor Experience Manager said: ‘We hope our visitors will be surprised, inspired, and perhaps even challenged, by discovering more about Drake’s circumnavigation but also his life at Buckland Abbey.’
Drake’s earlier voyages made him an enemy of the Spanish, but it was this voyage that cemented his reputation and status and has since made him one of Britain’s most famous sailors. Drake was rewarded handsomely for his part in the trip and, with a fraction of the treasure that was ‘acquired’, he purchased Buckland Abbey.