The British English Podcast Bonus Ep 84: Pt. 2 of The Elizabethan Era: Exploration, Empire & the English Renaissance | Ft. Ben Marks
Nov 13, 2025
Join historian Ben Marks, the unofficial historian from Down Under, as he delves into the dynamic Elizabethan era. Discover how Sir Francis Drake's voyages opened trade routes and fueled global capitalism. Explore the motivations behind Englandâs explorations and the dramatic consequences had the Spanish Armada prevailed. Ben discusses the Renaissance's influence on arts, science, and the democratization of theatre, highlighting both the era's cultural flourishes and its harsh realities for the less fortunate.
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Exploration Sparked Early Global Capitalism
- England's global rise began when explorers like Sir Francis Drake opened direct routes to the Far East.
- Those routes sparked early global capitalism by importing spices, silk and luxury goods that boosted England's economy.
Stocks Emerged From Maritime Risk Sharing
- The rise of joint-stock companies grew from pooling money to spread maritime risk across voyages.
- The Dutch East India Company became the first multinational and model for modern stocks and shares.
Armada Defeat Enabled English Dominance
- England's naval tactics, smaller ships and timely storms helped defeat the Spanish Armada.
- That victory proved crucial for England becoming the era's preeminent power and enabled future expansion.