How did Spanish writers portray Sir Francis Drake?

Spanish writers and officials held a deeply negative view of Sir Francis Drake, primarily characterizing him as a dangerous adversary and a criminal. The Spanish ambassador to England famously labeled him "the master-thief of the unknown world," reflecting the Spanish perspective of Drake as a pirate who threatened their colonial interests and trade.1

Despite this hostility, his Spanish victims often conceded a "grudged admiration" for his abilities. He was frequently credited with possessing diabolical powers as a navigator and became a recurring antihero in Spanish literature, where he was sometimes depicted as surprisingly courteous toward his prisoners. While he was a source of intense frustration and fear for the Spanish crown, his daring actions—such as his raid on Cádiz—were acknowledged by King Philip II as being remarkably bold, even when the material losses were considered manageable.12