As we step into a New Year, it is very common to be surrounded by hints to start planning. Planning who we are going to be, planning our meals, planning our workouts and resolutions…

Well, all this talk got me thinking about what planning looked like throughout history. And then I came to the days when voyages and expeditions were planned for months on end. Travelling around the globe finding new lands, experiencing new foods, fabrics and colours.

It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge that the Age of Exploration was not without its controversies and tragedies. The impact on indigenous peoples and ecosystems was profound, often resulting in cultural clashes, environmental degradation and species extinction. The imperialist motivations behind many expeditions also raised ethical questions about the nature of exploration. However, this diary entry is about the things that inspired my new collection, so please humour me and come along for the journey through the ages…

 

And So It Began…

In the journals of history, the narrative of British exploration stands as a testament to the adventurous spirit, curiosity, and ambition that drove individuals to traverse uncharted territories & map the world.

The seeds of British exploration were sown in the 15th century when intrepid mariners like John Cabot (Giovanni Caboto) set sail in search of new trade routes to Asia. Cabot’s voyage in 1497, believed to have reached the coast of North America, marked the beginning of England’s maritime pursuits. However, it was during the reign of Elizabeth I that exploration truly gained momentum. Sir Walter Raleigh, a charismatic courtier, organized expeditions to the Americas, attempting to establish the first English colony in the New World, Roanoke, in the late 16th century.

The 18th and 19th centuries were the peak of British exploration. Captain James Cook’s three voyages between 1768 and 1779 were instrumental in mapping the Pacific and discovering new lands, including Australia and Hawaii. There is such beauty in the early cartography of maps and atlases – each rendition painstakingly hand-drawn & often with beautiful embellishments and insignia around the outside.

Africa became a focus of exploration, with figures like David Livingstone and Henry Morton Stanley making expeditions to the heart of the continent. Their journeys, often motivated by a combination of scientific curiosity and missionary interest, revealed the vast landscapes and diverse cultures of Africa to the Western world.

 

A New and Accurate Map of The World – John Speed, 1651

 

 

Part of The Crew

I must mention those who accompanied expeditions, not as explorers but as researchers and/or scientists. Of course, there was Charles Darwin, who embarked on the HMS Beagle in 1831 as the ship’s naturalist, accompanying Captain Robert FitzRoy on a surveying expedition that lasted nearly five years. The primary mission of the Beagle was to conduct hydrographic surveys of the coasts of South America, Australia, and Africa. However, it was Darwin’s observations during the voyage that would have a lasting impact on the field of biology and the understanding of life on Earth.

While not an explorer in the traditional sense, Darwin’s role in British exploration was marked by his meticulous observations, collection of specimens, and subsequent development of a revolutionary scientific theory. His contributions significantly influenced the scientific understanding of the natural world and had profound implications for biology, anthropology, and geology.

There was also Joseph Banks. He too was a naturalist and botanist, and accompanied James Cook on his first voyage around the world (1768–1771). During the expedition, Banks played a crucial role in the collection and documentation of plant specimens. He, along with the botanist Daniel Solander, collected thousands of plant specimens from various locations, including Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific islands. This extensive collection greatly expanded European knowledge of plant diversity in those regions.

Upon his return to England, Banks became the president of the Royal Society, a position he held for over 40 years. His influence and financial support contributed to the development of botanical science in Britain. Banks also played a key role in establishing Kew Gardens as a centre for botanical research, and he encouraged the exploration and study of plant life around the world.

 

Plates from Joseph Banks’ Florilegium

 

Today

As the 20th century progressed, the era of grand expeditions began to wane. Technological advancements, including air travel and satellite mapping, rendered traditional exploration methods obsolete. Today we have a new focus on space exploration, even though there are still parts of our world to discover. Nevertheless, the legacy of British exploration endures in the maps, scientific discoveries, and cultural exchanges that shaped the course of history and left an indelible mark on the world. The stories of these intrepid explorers, their triumphs, their challenges & failures continue to inspire a sense of wonder and curiosity about the unknown.

 

 

This site uses cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. By browsing this website, you agree to our use of cookies.