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Captain for Elizabeth
On the trail of Spanish gold and booty, Tom Cavendish had set the Desire on a perilous course around the world -- a course that would pit his men against fierce headhunters and tropical disease, against terrifying hurricanes and the full might of Philip of Spain's navy.
But it was after he captured the famous galleon Santa Anna that Cavendish met his greatest challenge -- Catherine de Montoro, whose conquest was a more exciting and compelling matter than any victory over the Spaniards.
But it was after he captured the famous galleon Santa Anna that Cavendish met his greatest challenge -- Catherine de Montoro, whose conquest was a more exciting and compelling matter than any victory over the Spaniards.
- GenresAdventure16th Century
346 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1948
About the author
Jan Westcott
32 books6 followersMaryann Josephine Vlachos was born in Philadelphia on February 23, 1912, daughter of Professor Nicholas and Mary Vlachos. Professor Vlachos, a native of Holland, was a distinguished classical and historical scholar and the author of Hellas and Hellenism. It was because of his influence that Maryann became a student of history. She had one brother who died in 1966.
She attended school in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania where she also attended Swarthmore College. While vacationing in Avalon, New Jersey she met and married Richard Westcott with whom she had two children: Richard and Michael. The marriage ended in divorce.
As a stay at home mom she dared herself to write historical fiction in a traditional romantic style. Working in the morning, when the children were at school, and then at night, when they were in bed, she authored her first novel Border Lord under pen name of Jan Westcott; the novel was published by Crown in 1947 and became a best seller. Jan Westcott eventually became a well-known historical novelist of eleven books. She researched the subject matter of her books assiduously. In 1969, Boston University created a Jan Westcott collection.
In Avalon she met Dr. Robert Barden, who was a prominent radiologist, and later married him in 1954. They lived and worked in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania with their combined family of two sons and four daughters. She loved to entertain and to have extended family converge on the home for joyous holidays. Family was important to her. Her interests over the years were many and diverse: music and the Philadelphia Orchestra, bridge, fishing, reading, gardening, travel, church, politics, and the real estate market. She was an expert surf caster and fisherman.
Jan Westcott passed away at the age of 99 years on October 29, 2011, at Cathedral Village in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she had resided for many years. While at Cathedral Village she wrote: "The mystery of death comes close as our years climb up ― around us is the unknown, the last step. Aware as we are of it, the present is vital and exciting and precious. Each day gives us the beauty of the earth, the lovely sound of the needed rain."
She attended school in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania where she also attended Swarthmore College. While vacationing in Avalon, New Jersey she met and married Richard Westcott with whom she had two children: Richard and Michael. The marriage ended in divorce.
As a stay at home mom she dared herself to write historical fiction in a traditional romantic style. Working in the morning, when the children were at school, and then at night, when they were in bed, she authored her first novel Border Lord under pen name of Jan Westcott; the novel was published by Crown in 1947 and became a best seller. Jan Westcott eventually became a well-known historical novelist of eleven books. She researched the subject matter of her books assiduously. In 1969, Boston University created a Jan Westcott collection.
In Avalon she met Dr. Robert Barden, who was a prominent radiologist, and later married him in 1954. They lived and worked in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania with their combined family of two sons and four daughters. She loved to entertain and to have extended family converge on the home for joyous holidays. Family was important to her. Her interests over the years were many and diverse: music and the Philadelphia Orchestra, bridge, fishing, reading, gardening, travel, church, politics, and the real estate market. She was an expert surf caster and fisherman.
Jan Westcott passed away at the age of 99 years on October 29, 2011, at Cathedral Village in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she had resided for many years. While at Cathedral Village she wrote: "The mystery of death comes close as our years climb up ― around us is the unknown, the last step. Aware as we are of it, the present is vital and exciting and precious. Each day gives us the beauty of the earth, the lovely sound of the needed rain."
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 18, 2026
This was an epic story of pirates and explorers, and remarkably, our main character, Tom Cavendish was real. He did circumnavigate the globe. He did plunder and do a lot of bad things in the name of Queen Elizabeth. And, he was welcomed home a hero.
A lot of the characters were real crew on his ship, Desire. But, some of the main characters are fictitious.
I enjoyed the book. I especially enjoyed the adventures aboard ship. Captain Cavendish was a jerk. At times, he had a heart, but overall, he was a narcissistic man with his own desires always getting the best of him.
The initial voyage took place from 1586-1588, so, unfortunately, women are treated poorly and derogatory names are used. I’m assuming that’s probably accurate for the time period.
A lot of the characters were real crew on his ship, Desire. But, some of the main characters are fictitious.
I enjoyed the book. I especially enjoyed the adventures aboard ship. Captain Cavendish was a jerk. At times, he had a heart, but overall, he was a narcissistic man with his own desires always getting the best of him.
The initial voyage took place from 1586-1588, so, unfortunately, women are treated poorly and derogatory names are used. I’m assuming that’s probably accurate for the time period.
April 15, 2015
Jan Westcott writes a good, well researched historical story. I found myself caught up in this 16th century voyage of reckless exploration and piracy by one of England's young and very capable captains, Tom Cavendish, who was authorized by Queen Elizabeth to attack Spanish merchant ships and seize their cargoes. With three ships in the fleet Tom Cavendish and his men brought back jewels from Burma, ginger, cloves and cinnamon from the Spice Islands, pearls, and silks from China. However, what set this voyage apart from others was Tom's meeting with a Spanish widow who set his heart aflame. A definite recommend.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews