Singeing a royal beardSourced
An attack on a harbour acquired a very personal nickname
In 1587, Francis Drake’s fleet raided Cádiz in Spain, destroying or capturing ships and supplies. The expedition became known by the mocking name Singeing the King of Spain’s Beard. It was an attack on naval preparations, not on the king’s actual facial hair.
The beard in the name stood for an insult delivered at sea.
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Reviewed: 2026-10-10