Did the El Draque Cocktail Change Naval History and the History of England

In 1586, the vast fleet of Sir Francis Drake indifferent lots of Spanish proceeds and wreaked damage. One more attack was planned ( a ' Spanish ' town called Havana ) later which the fleet would return to England. However there was an epidemic on - board the ships and the male were in no fit constitution for molecule fighting and the fleet went into hiding on the June 4th. It was avowed that medicines based on aquardiente de cana could be used for dysentery and Richard Drake therefore made a medicine using aguardiente de cana, mint, limes and sugarcane extract to help it more appetizing. In South America, mint is recognized as hierbabuena, literally, good herb. A search on the internet finds that when the bark of the chuchuhuasi tree is soaked in aguardiente ( sometimes spelt aquardiente ), its properties number among being an resisting dysenteric ( for treating dysentery ), digestive yen and febrifuge ( used to treat fever ).

Scurvy is a vitamin C want, and would have been cured by drinking lime juice. In the 1700 ' s English sailors were called limeys, because of the use of limes in their rations. Proof that this medicinal mix ( later called El Draque ) worked is that it was taken during cholera epidemics. In one of the worst cholera epidemics to affect Havana ' s population, Ramon de Paula says: " Every day at eleven in the morning, I consume a little Draque made from aquardiente and I am doing very well. This medicinal mix was administered to the sailors of Drakes fleet using a large wooden spoon with a cocks tail handle. This is thought to be where the name El Draque cocktail came from. The cure worked, the fleet raided one last place, St Augustine ' s watchtower and then returned home.

What would have happened if this remedy had not worked? If the epidemic had not been stopped it would have killed many of the sailors on the ships. During the American Civil War, dysentery caused more deaths of Union soldiers than the Confederacy did.

Scurvy is a vitamin C deficiency and would have been cured by drinking lime juice. In the 17th century limes and a tot of rum were regular rations for the British Navy, which is why sailors were called Limeys. On a long voyage, scurvy was a killer. Magellan, for example, lost eighty percent of the sailors on his Pacific voyage, survivors described how they had to keep slicing the swollen tissue away off their gums in order to be able to chew their rations. Descriptions of scurvy - afflicted explorers are absolutely awful. A French translation written in 1613 says " There developed in the mouths of those who had it, large pieces of excess fungus flesh which caused a great rot. Their teeth barely held in place, and could be removed with the fingers without causing pain. Later, severe pain developed in the legs and arms, which became very hard, swollen and covered with spots like fleabites. Consequently, they had almost no strength and suffered unbearable pain. They also had severe cramps in the stomach, loins and bowels, as well as with a very bad cough and shortness of breath. Unfortunately, we could find no remedy with which to cure these symptoms ". ( Samuel de Champlain, 1613 ) From vol. 1 of Champlain Society ' s 1971 ed., of Champlain ' s 1613 ed., Voyages du Sieur de Champlain

Conclusion: Had the epidemic not been stopped, then possibly the fleet would have had to come out of hiding in weakened condition, and might never have been able to make. There are a number of scenarios all of which would have caused the loss of the fleet. This would have led to the subsequent success of the Spanish Armada two years later, and the fall on England to the Spanish. The authentic Drakes cocktail ( El Draque ) can still be found in a ' bar battersea ' called the SugarCane, near the site of the old Tudor shipbuilding yard by the River Thames.

A former University lecturer and technical writer for over 20 years. A place that has the El Draque cocktail is The SugarCane bar in Clapham Junction

A Short History Of King John Of England

John of England was born Christmas Eve 1167 and died October 19, 1216. He became King of England in 1199 and had a especial interesting history. His succession to the state came attached his brother King Richard the Premier, the Confident. Johns epithet was not as inspiring. He was called both Lackland ( seeing he was not to inherit the land of his father, being the fifth baby ) and Soft Sword ( due to his military ineptitude as a king ).

Kids may regard of King John as the caliber in Robin Hood, and that is who he is supposed to be. Although we have no thought if a Robin Hood existed. But historically King John is admitted as the signer of the Magna Carta in 1215, one of the most famous documents extremely. The Magna Carta was the inspiration to our democracy today. It incomparably in need the power of the monarchy, putting more power into the peoples hands.

King John of England was the last, and 8th, child born to Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. He was his fathers favorite and was well educated, with the ability to read fluently. His childhood was embroiled in disputes as his mother and brothers were constantly in dispute with his father Henry II. Eleanor was even imprisoned by her husband at one point. As a young boy John was being trained for and expected to enter into clerical ( church ) service. This was to relieve his father, King Henry II of having to give him any land.

As a child, John was promised to Alice ( Alys ) of Savoy, daughter of Humbert III of Savoy. It was at this same time that John was no longer designated to go into clerical service, since it seemed more important to use him for politics. John was to inherit most of Humberts lands over the Alps, helping to expand Englands influence. Unfortunately Alice died on her way to meet John.

John was known as a treacherous person siding back and forth, for and against, his brothers and mom, what ever benefited him the most. He was not trustworthy. In 1184 he and his brother Richard were in a bitter dispute as to who was to inherit the thrown. In 1185 John was made Ruler of Ireland, where he was despised and quickly kicked out of the country. In 1189 Richard, The Lionhearted became the King of England. By 1194 Richard had named his brother John as his successor, forgiving John of prior disputes.

When King Richard died, his brother John became King John the 1st, in 1199. However, once again it was not easy for John. He ended up in a dispute over the kingship with his nephew Arthur. King Philip II of France had favored Arthur, although he supported John eventually. King Philip II was actually Johns feudal overlord at the time for certain French territories held by John.

Later John refused some things that Philip asked of him, which was the right of a feudal lord, and war was declared between England and France. John built a modern Navy for this war and sometimes is declared the Father of the Modern Navy. The English and French war lasted past Johns death in 1216. His 9 year old son became King Henry the III. Johns life and reign was full of disputes and battles. Many consider his time the most disastrous in English history although some consider his agreement to the Magna Carta the greatest event in the history of democracy.

Did the El Draque Cocktail Change Naval History and the History of England

In 1586, the mammoth fleet of Sir Francis Drake unemotional lots of Spanish return and wreaked ruination. One more invasion was planned ( a ' Spanish ' hangout called Havana ) adjoining which the fleet would return to England. However masterly was an epidemic on - board the ships and the men were in no fit character for measure fighting and the fleet went into hiding on the June 4th. It was published that medicines based on aquardiente de cana could be used for dysentery and Richard Drake then made a medicine using aguardiente de cana, mint, limes and sugarcane extract to cooperation it more luscious. In South America, mint is admitted as hierbabuena, literally, great herb. A search on the internet finds that when the bark of the chuchuhuasi tree is soaked in aguardiente ( sometimes spelt aquardiente ), its properties entail being an recusant dysenteric ( for treating dysentery ), digestive appetition and febrifuge ( used to treat fever ).

Scurvy is a vitamin C absence, and would have been cured by drinking lime juice. In the 1700 ' s English sailors were called limeys, because of the use of limes in their rations. Proof that this medicinal mix ( later called El Draque ) worked is that it was taken during cholera epidemics. In one of the worst cholera epidemics to affect Havana ' s population, Ramon de Paula says: " Every day at eleven in the morning, I consume a little Draque made from aquardiente and I am doing very well. This medicinal mix was administered to the sailors of Drakes fleet using a large wooden spoon with a cocks tail handle. This is thought to be where the name El Draque cocktail came from. The cure worked, the fleet raided one last place, St Augustine ' s watchtower and then returned home.

What would have happened if this remedy had not worked? If the epidemic had not been stopped it would have killed many of the sailors on the ships. During the American Civil War, dysentery caused more deaths of Union soldiers than the Confederacy did.

Scurvy is a vitamin C deficiency and would have been cured by drinking lime juice. In the 17th century limes and a tot of rum were regular rations for the British Navy, which is why sailors were called Limeys. On a long voyage, scurvy was a killer. Magellan, for example, lost eighty percent of the sailors on his Pacific voyage, survivors described how they had to keep slicing the swollen tissue away off their gums in order to be able to chew their rations. Descriptions of scurvy - afflicted explorers are absolutely awful. A French translation written in 1613 says " There developed in the mouths of those who had it, large pieces of excess fungus flesh which caused a great rot. Their teeth barely held in place, and could be removed with the fingers without causing pain. Later, severe pain developed in the legs and arms, which became very hard, swollen and covered with spots like fleabites. Consequently, they had almost no strength and suffered unbearable pain. They also had severe cramps in the stomach, loins and bowels, as well as with a very bad cough and shortness of breath. Unfortunately, we could find no remedy with which to cure these symptoms ". ( Samuel de Champlain, 1613 ) From vol. 1 of Champlain Society ' s 1971 ed., of Champlain ' s 1613 ed., Voyages du Sieur de Champlain

Conclusion: Had the epidemic not been stopped, then possibly the fleet would have had to come out of hiding in weakened condition, and might never have been able to make. There are a number of scenarios all of which would have caused the loss of the fleet. This would have led to the subsequent success of the Spanish Armada two years later, and the fall on England to the Spanish. The authentic Drakes cocktail ( El Draque ) can still be found in a ' bar battersea ' called the SugarCane, near the site of the old Tudor shipbuilding yard by the River Thames.

A former University lecturer and technical writer for over 20 years. A place that has the El Draque cocktail is The SugarCane bar in Clapham Junction