Naval commander, Sir Richard Grenville, was born into a seafaring family. His father had been the captain of the Mary Rose and he was a cousin of both Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh.

In 1591, he was appointed to an expedition to patrol the coasts of the Azores for Spanish treasure ships. Grenville’s ship, the Revenge, was considered one of the finest galleons in the world. The situation in the Azores became dangerous but despite orders to return to sea, Grenville vowed to stay and fight the enemy rather than leave his 90 sick men ashore. The Revenge alone with its crew of 100 fought a battle against some 53 Spanish ships. The Revenge was captured and Grenville, mortally wounded, died a few days later.