John Hawkins - Britain's First Slave Trader

Our first episode, will go way back to the early seed of British Imperialism planted in the mid-16th Century. Join us as we lay out the story of John Hawkins, whose singular obsession of trading enslaved Africans to Spanish American colonies will bring an ignored and uncultured Northern European Queendom into direct conflict with the world's first global super-power. 

The early days of the horrific industry known as the Atlantic slave trade will be laid bare.  How and why it developed, and its central role in building the framework of the early  British Empire. 

So join us to find out how a British capitalist invented the Triangular Trade, and why Queen Elizabeth I gave it the full backing of the British crown. On the lighter side, you will also learn why the British got the Sweet Potato years before they ever tasted a Potato and the disappointing realities of historical ship names. All before the Spanish Empire intervenes and brings the enterprise to a fiery end. 

Join Gruff and Chris, as we examine the first brick laid in the building of the British Empire.