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John Eldred sailed with Newberry and other merchants in 1583 on a royal decreed voyage to the Middle East to initiate trade in spices. Eldred remained in Basra while others continued to Persia and India. Six months later, Eldred left Basra with 70 barges laden with spices, mainly nutmeg and cinnamon. After 44 days they arrived in Baghdad where they joined a caravan of 4,000 camels that took 40 days to transport the merchandise to Aleppo in Syria. He remained in Aleppo for three years and when he left he was a wealthy man. He retired to the country in Suffolk buying a large manor which he named ‘Nutmeg Hall’. When the East India Company was established in 1600, Eldred became a major sponsor and financier.