The Discovery of Guiana

An unmistakable voice from the age of Elizabeth guides listeners through the restless spirit of one of England’s most celebrated adventurers. The narrator, a soldier, courtier, and explorer, recalls his rise from a Devonshire gentleman’s son to a favorite of the queen, his daring forays against the Spanish and his turbulent fall from grace. His reflections set the stage for a daring 1595 voyage into the still‑unknown lands of South America.

In the heart of the narrative he details the lush, untamed world of Guiana, painting vivid pictures of towering forests, mighty rivers and the fabled golden city of Manoa, known to Spaniards as El Dorado. He sketches the bordering provinces—Emeria, Aromaia, Amapaia—each portrayed with a blend of awe and meticulous observation. Listeners will feel the excitement of a sailor charting new coasts, the tension of unknown peoples, and the hopeful promise of riches that drove an entire generation of explorers.