ABSTRACT
William Bourne completed his new Almanac for the years 158I -go in December 158o, when he was in residence at the Queen's House, Upnor Castle. The House contained the apartments of the military Captain of the Castle, and doubtless Bourne was serving him as master-gunner. But of this there is no direct evidence. Drake's recent return with his looted treasure had set the whole nation agog for the sea, and there were various plans under consideration for taking up the treaty he had made with the local ruler in Ternate. Apart from this his circumnavigation had made clear that in future voyages lasting two years or more might be anticipated. Something more than an annual almanac had become necessary, although it might occur to the purchaser that only an intention of actual settlement in some distant trading-post could necessitate carrying with him a ten years' prediction ofthe moon's phases.
