Martin Pring (1580-1626) was an English explorer from Bristol, Englan. In 1603, under patronage of the mayor, alderman and merchants of Bristol, Pring sailed to discover the northern parts of the territory known as Virginia in America. His flagship, the Speedwell, of 60 tons and 30 men (a vessel of the same name and size was one of the ships boarded by the Pilgrims 17 years later for their 1620 trip to America), was escorted by a bark, the Explorer, of 26 tons and 13 men. He would write of his adventure which was under licence by Sir Walter Raleigh.