Queen Elizabeth I is often remembered for her long reign, her defeat of the Spanish Armada, and her strong leadership in the 16th century. But one of the lesser-known parts of her story is her partnership with John Hawkins, an English trader and sailor. Their connection helped begin England’s involvement in the African slave trade, which later became one of the darkest parts of British history.The Partnership Between Queen Elizabeth I and John Hawkins
This article will explore:
- Who John Hawkins was and why Queen Elizabeth supported him
- What the partnership between Hawkins and Elizabeth I looked like
- The effects of their relationship on slavery and the British Empire
By the end of this article, you will better understand how one queen and one trader helped shape a system that affected millions of lives.
Section 1: Who Was John Hawkins and Why Did the Queen Support Him?
John Hawkins: The First English Slave Trader
John Hawkins was born in 1532 in Plymouth, England, into a family of sailors and traders. From a young age, he learned how to sail ships, trade goods, and explore new routes across the sea.
In the 1560s, Hawkins saw how other European countries, like Portugal and Spain, were making huge profits by selling enslaved Africans to plantations in the Americas. These plantations grew sugar, tobacco, and cotton—crops that made a lot of money in Europe.
Hawkins decided to try this himself. In 1562, he sailed to West Africa, captured or bought around 300 African people, and took them across the Atlantic Ocean. He sold them in Spanish colonies like Hispaniola and returned to England with goods such as gold, sugar, and pearls.
This journey made a big profit. Hawkins became known as a successful merchant and ship captain. He had discovered a business opportunity—one that was cruel and inhuman, but also very profitable.
Partnership Between Queen Elizabeth I and John
Queen Elizabeth I: A Ruler With Big Plans
Queen Elizabeth I ruled England from 1558 to 1603. During her reign, England was becoming stronger at sea and wanted to catch up with Spain and Portugal in exploring and trading with the New World (the Americas).
The queen knew that ships and trade were key to England’s future wealth and power. She needed sailors like Hawkins who were bold, skilled, and willing to take risks.
Though Elizabeth was also known for promoting English pride and culture, she had a keen interest in money and empire. When Hawkins returned from his first voyage with large profits, she took notice.
Why Did the Queen Support John Hawkins?
The answer is simple: money and empire. Hawkins’s success showed the queen that England could make big profits in the same way that Spain and Portugal did. And because Spain controlled much of the Caribbean at that time, Hawkins’s trips were also seen as a way to challenge Spanish power.
Queen Elizabeth I saw Hawkins as a bold leader who could help England:
- Gain wealth from trade
- Build a stronger navy
- Compete with Spain
- Expand English power overseas
So, when Hawkins planned more voyages to Africa and the Caribbean, the queen gave her full support.
Section 2: What Did Their Partnership Look Like?
Royal Support for Slave Voyages
After Hawkins’s first voyage in 1562, he returned to England with huge profits. He wanted to go again, this time with more ships and supplies. In 1564, Queen Elizabeth helped fund his next trip.
She even gave him a royal warship called the Jesus of Lübeck, one of the largest and strongest ships in her fleet. She also allowed him to use her royal crest and provided weapons and supplies.
This meant that Hawkins was no longer just a private trader—he was now a representative of the English crown.
A Business Deal With the Queen
Hawkins’s partnership with Elizabeth I was more than just moral support. It was a business relationship. In return for her support, the queen received a share of the profits. The more slaves Hawkins sold, the more money the crown made.
On these voyages, Hawkins and his crew:
- Sailed to the West African coast (places like modern-day Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone).
- Traded goods like cloth, weapons, and alcohol for enslaved Africans.
- Took the slaves across the Atlantic (the Middle Passage).
- Sold the slaves in Spanish colonies, often without Spanish permission.
- Returned to England with valuable goods like sugar and gold.
These voyages were dangerous and illegal under Spanish law, but they were supported by Elizabeth I because they weakened Spain and made England rich.
The Coat of Arms and a Bound African Man
As a sign of royal support, the queen gave Hawkins a coat of arms—a type of family symbol. One of the images on his new coat of arms was an African man in chains. This shocking image showed that the trade in enslaved Africans was accepted at the highest level of English society.
This royal approval gave power and confidence to Hawkins. Other merchants saw his success and the queen’s support and soon joined the trade. What started as a few trips by Hawkins grew into a major part of England’s economy.Partnership Between Queen Elizabeth I and John
Attacking Spanish Ships and Slavery Together
On Hawkins’s third voyage in 1567, he partnered with another famous sailor—Francis Drake. This trip was larger and bolder. They captured slaves, traded them, and raided Spanish ports and ships. They acted as both slave traders and pirates.
Although this final trip ended in disaster when Spanish forces attacked them at the port of San Juan de Ulúa (in present-day Mexico), the mission proved that English ships could challenge Spain—and that slavery and war could go hand in hand.
Section 3: The Long-Term Effects of Their Relationship
How Their Partnership Helped Build the Slave Trade
The connection between John Hawkins and Queen Elizabeth I helped begin England’s deep involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. Because of Hawkins’s voyages and the queen’s backing:
- More traders began sailing to Africa to buy and sell people
- English cities like Liverpool, London, and Bristol became rich from slave profits
- Slavery became a normal part of business and society
- England developed its own empire of colonies supported by enslaved labor
This system would continue for more than 200 years, with over 12 million Africans enslaved and shipped across the Atlantic—many of them in British ships.
Hawkins and Elizabeth had laid the groundwork for this system. They turned the capture and sale of people into a national business.
The Effects on Africa and the Caribbean
Their actions caused pain and loss for generations:
- African communities were torn apart by slave raids and wars
- Families were separated forever
- Millions of people died on slave ships or in slavery
- Caribbean islands became places of suffering, ruled by British plantation owners
- Local African leaders were pressured to trade people for goods and weapons
The cultural, social, and economic damage still affects Africa and the Caribbean today.
A Legacy of Racism and Inequality
The idea that African people could be bought and sold helped spread racist beliefs. These ideas were used to justify slavery and colonization. For centuries, Africans were seen as less than human by European rulers and traders.
This mindset helped fuel:
- Racism in Britain and its colonies
- Colonial rule across Africa
- The belief that Britain had the right to control and “civilize” others
- Deep economic gaps between Europe and Africa
Apologies and Modern Reflection
In recent years, many people have started asking questions about this dark part of history. Some cities and organizations have offered apologies for their role in slavery.
There is now more focus on teaching the true story of Britain’s past—including the partnership between Hawkins and Elizabeth I. Statues and street names are being reviewed, and museums are changing how they present history.
Still, the British royal family has not officially apologized for the crown’s role in the slave trade. Many believe it is time for full recognition, education, and even reparations to the people and countries hurt by these actions.
To learn more about Queen Elizabeth I’s support of John Hawkins and how the slave trade began, visit The British Library – The Origins of the British Slave Trade.
Final Thoughts: Power, Profit, and Pain
The partnership between Queen Elizabeth I and John Hawkins was based on power and profit. Together, they helped start a system that would last for centuries and hurt millions of people. While Elizabeth is often celebrated for her leadership, we must also remember the choices she made that brought suffering to others.
Understanding this history is not about blaming the past—it’s about telling the full truth. Only then can we honor the memory of those who suffered and work toward a better future.The Partnership Between Queen Elizabeth I: and John Hawkins
