Drake claimed the southern islands as England’s first overseas possessions

Evidence

Drake also formally claimed these southern islands for his country and called them the Elizabeth Islands. They were the first overseas possessions claimed for England during the current reign, preceding Drake’s own attachment of Nova Albion (California) in 1579 and Gilbert’s formal possession of Newfoundland in 1583. — John Sugden, Sir Francis Drake, 505

Categorization

• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — John Sugden, Sir Francis Drake, 505
• XREF: connects to: Drake recognized the Pacific as an untapped arena for English enterprise — John Sugden, Sir Francis Drake, 301; Elizabeth’s reign saw the emergence of a national consciousness in England. — Winston Churchill, A History of the English-Speaking…, 918

Broader Connections

• Elizabeth’s reign saw the emergence of a national consciousness in England. #expands (0.75) — Winston Churchill, A History of the English-Speaking…, 918