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 鈥楴utmeg Hall'. When the East India Company was established in 1600; Eldred became a major sponsor and financier.