My Planner1

Added...:
	Ballindalloch Castle & Gardens

Places to Visit
Search
Places to Stay
Search
What's On
Search

Places to Visit Search

Places to Stay Search

What's On Search

Places to Stay Search

Places to Visit Search

What's On Search

Golden Age of pirates

As an island, Britain was home to several pirates and privateers. Piracy was so prevalent in fact that an era during the Elizabethan period was known as the Golden Age of Piracy.

The Golden Age of Piracy covers a time period between the 1650s and 1730s, when piracy was rife around the North Atlantic and Indian Oceans. It was typically split into three different eras, the Buccaneering Period, which mostly covered the Caribbean and saw ships attacking Spanish vessels and those transporting goods around the Pacific; the Pirate Round which involved long distance voyages between the Americas and mostly involved the East India Company and the Post Spanish Succession period, where sailors left unemployed after the end of the War of Spanish Succession turned to piracy.

History of piracy

As an island, Britain was home to several pirates and privateers. Piracy was so prevalent in fact that an era during the Elizabethan period was known as the Golden Age of Piracy.

History of piracy

Piracy began to emerge following conflicts over trade and colonisation among rival European powers, including Britain, Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal and France. Most pirates in this era were of Welsh, English, Dutch, Irish and French origins and tended to come from poorer areas.

When it comes to British pirates, the majority came from coastal towns, like Bristol, Plymouth and other areas of the West Country, hence the accent we all recognise. Others came from London docklands areas.

It is believed that the Golden Age of Piracy began around 1650 following the Wars of Religion which allowed European countries to resume the development of their colonial empires. This involved sea travel, leading to rival countries attacking and raiding ships for the goods they were carrying, much of it high in value.

The increase of piracy around Tortuga began after the English captured Jamaica from Spain. The early governors freely allowed buccaneers and fellow Englishmen to raid passing shops and to sell anything they had stolen around the markets. It was around this time that the pirate Henry Morgan plundered, sacked and burned Panama City.

1690s-1700

During this decade, pirates began looking beyond the Caribbean. The Glorious Revolution in England had restored the traditional rivalry between Britain and France and ended the friendship between English Jamaica and French Tortuga.

Post Spanish Succession

From around 1714, various peace treaties ended the War of the Spanish Succession and thousands of men, who had been employed in several European navies found themselves unemployed and looking for ways to make money at the time when cross Atlantic shipping was starting to boom.

This led to a rise in piracy around the Atlantic, the majority of the British names from this time were ex-privateers and included Charles Vane, Samual Bellamy, Benjamin Hornigold and Henry Jennings.

As part of the settlement following the War of the Spanish Succession, the British South Sea Company was awarded a contract to supply slaves to Spain’s colonies and contributed heavily to the rise in piracy in this part of the world. Living conditions and wages at this time were so bad that many sailors preferred the freedom of being a pirate compared to living within the law. Sailors for the Royal Navy often had little to eat and rarely saw their families, which led to many of them deserting the crown and turning to piracy instead. This is one of the reasons why pirates were so well equipped at fighting the navy.

Pirates vs Privateers

During the Golden Age of Piracy, many that undertook piracy were excused of their crimes for being privateers. There are a few differences between the two, however, the name pirate was originally given to buccaneers who operated around the Caribbean when they were paid by the government to attack Spanish ships. Later, they started doing this without the incentive of pay.

Privateers on the other hand were private persons who engaged in maritime warfare under a commission of war, which gave them the authority to raid enemy ships with exemption from piracy charges. Privateers have been in existence since the Middle Ages, when ship owners were given permission to attack in revenge for a loss of their own ships.

The end of piracy

By the 18^th century, tolerance for privateers was wearing thin across the world, especially after the Treaty of Ultrecht, which was the result of the War of the Spanish Succession. The Treaty allowed the British to establish naval superiority in Europe, as well as control of Menorca and Gibraltar, which remains under British ownership.

Best known privateers

A Privateer is a private person who was granted permission to engage in maritime warfare. Many were awarded letters of marque from the monarch or government, which empowered them to attack foreign vessels, seize the goods and then divide the proceeds between themselves, the issuer of the letter, the crew and any sponsors.

Sir Francis Drake
Best known for circumnavigating the world in a single expedition. He would become a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I and was involved in the Spanish and English Armadas.

Sir John Hawkins
Hawkins was an early promoter of the English slave trade and was a cousin of Francis Drake. He served in the victory against the Spanish Armada and was also involved in the English Armada.

Sir George Somers
Somers was knighted for his achievements as part of the Virgina Company of London, he is remembered as the founder of the English colony of Bermuda.

Sir Walter Raleigh
Another of Queen Elizabeth’s favourites, Raleigh was granted a royal charter which allowed him to explore, colonise and rule any land that was not “possessed of any Christian Prince or inhabited by Christian People."

Best known British pirates

Black Sam Bellamy
Known as the Robin hood of Pirates, he prided himself on his ideological justifications for piracy. He was the captain of the Wydah Gally and was lost in a storm off Cape Cod in 1717.

Stede Bonnet
A rich land owner, Bonnet turned to piracy in search of adventure and was captain of the Revenge. He was caught and executed in 1718.

Henry Every
One of the major pirates of the Golden Age of Piracy who actually managed to retire without being arrested or dying in battle. He was known to captain the Ganj-i-Sawai.

William Fly
His execution is said to have ended the Golden Age of Piracy.

William Captain Kid
Supposedly left behind buried treasure that has never been found, he was executed for piracy at Execution Dock in London.

Edward Low
Unlike most pirates, who came from Britain’s coastal towns, Low was born in Westminster. He was never captured but was feared throughout the world for torturing his prisoners.

Henry Morgan
The pirate who was famous for taking Panama City and burning it to the ground. He was supposed to executed but was instead knighted and made governor of Jamaica, you might recognise his name from the brand of rum.

Calico Jack Rackham
Was known for partnering with infamous female pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read. He was captured and executed in Port Royal, Jamaica.

Black Bart Roberts
Believed to be the most successful western pirate of all time.

Edward Blackbeard Teach
The most notorious pirate, he was best known for captaining the Queen Anne’s Revenge, he was eventually killed by British sailors.

Charles Vane
Unpopular with his crew, Vane was marooned by his fellow pirates before being captured and executed.

Benjamin Hornigold
An English pirate who founded the Republic of Pirates and mentored Blackbeard. He was pardoned by the monarchy and became a pirate hunter.

Anne Bonny and Mary Read
These were the best known female pirates. Bonny had a notorious reputation and eloped with Calico Jack Rackham. Read had been posing as a man her entire life and had even been in the British Military. She joined Rackham’s crew and the three of them had a polyamorous relationship. When they were attacked, both women were captured and sentenced to death but stalled their executions by claiming to be pregnant.

Read Less

Number of results:

Number of results: 119

Sort By: A-Z Lowest Z-A Z-A

, currently showing 101 to 119.

Kew Gardens

Address

Kew Green, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AE

Richmond

Since their creation in 1759, the Royal Botanic Gardens have made a significant contribution to the study of plant diversity and economic botany and formed a unique testimony to developments in garden art that were subsequently diffused around the…

More Details
All Saints' Church, Aldwincle

Address

Thorpe Road, Aldwincle, Kettering, Northamptonshire, NN14 3EA

jrobertson@thecct.org.uk

Kettering

A Medieval wonder in a pretty village

More Details
Roman Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady and St Philip Howard (Arundel Cathedral)

Address

Parsons Hill, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9AY

Telephone
01903 882297

arundel@abdiocese.org.uk

Arundel

The Cathedral Church for the Catholic Diocese of Arundel and Brighton.
Built on a hill, the Cathedral sits majestically, overlooking the ancient town of Arundel.

More Details
Hylands Estate

Address

Hylands House, Hylands Estate, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 8WQ

Telephone
01245 605500

hylands@chelmsford.gov.uk

Chelmsford

Hylands Estate is a prestigious Grade II* listed public park set within 574 acres of historic parkland. At its heart stands the beautifully renovated Neo-Classical Hylands House open to the public on select days.

More Details
Hatfield House

Address

Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 5HX

Telephone
01707 287010

visitors@hatfield-house.co.uk

Hatfield

Splendid Jacobean House and Garden in a spectacular countryside setting. Childhood home of Elizabeth I.

More Details
Abbey House Gardens

Address

Market Cross, MALMESBURY, Wiltshire, SN16 9AS

Telephone
01666 822212

info@abbeyhousegardens.co.uk

MALMESBURY

Now Abbey House Gardens is famous worldwide Alan Titchmarsh was right to say, '' The WOW factor is here in abundance''. Open 21 Mar-21 Oct daily 1100-1700.

More Details
Abercamlais House

Address

Abercamlais, Brecon, Powys, LD3 8EY

Telephone
07789930064

info@abercamlais.co.uk

Brecon

Abercamlais is a splendid Grade 1 listed mansion set in the heart of the Brecon Beacons. Come and explore the beautiful walled garden and the unique suspension bridge in the historic grounds.
No photography in house. Guided Tours: Obligatory.…

More Details
Painshill

Address

Painshill Park Trust, Painshill, Cobham, Surrey, KT11 1JE

Telephone
01932 868113

info@painshill.co.uk

Cobham

Painshill is an award-winning 18th century landscape garden where you are invited to walk around a work of art. Winding paths will take you on a journey to discover a living canvas with beautiful vistas and dramatically placed garden buildings.…

More Details
Beaumaris Castle (Cadw)

Address

Beaumaris Castle (Cadw), Castle Street, Beaumaris, Isle of Anglesey, LL58 8AP

Telephone
01248 810361

BeaumarisCastle@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Beaumaris

Beaumaris is the great unfinished masterpiece. It was built as one of the 'iron ring' of North Wales castles by the English monarch, Edward I to stamp his authority on the Welsh.

More Details
All Saints' Church, Billesley

Address

Billesley, Stratford Upon Avon, Warwickshire, B49 6NF

jrobertson@thecct.org.uk

Stratford Upon Avon

A light-filled gem with a Shakespearean connection

More Details
Gwynedd Castles and Town Walls of King Edward

Address

Various locations across Wales, Bedwas, Caerphilly, Mid Glamorgan, CF83 8WT

Caerphilly

The four castles of Beaumaris, Conwy, Caernarfon, Harlech and the attendant fortified towns at Conwy and Caernarfon in Gwynedd, North Wales, are the finest examples of late 13th century and early 14th century military architecture in Europe, as…

More Details
Leighton Hall

Address

Carnforth, Lancashire, LA5 9ST

Telephone
01524 734474

info@leightonhall.co.uk

Lancashire

Award-winning Leighton Hall is the lived-in house of the famous furniture-making Gillow dynasty. Unravel the fascinating past of this ancient, Lancashire family, wander through the spectacular grounds and pretty gardens and displays.

More Details
Giants Causeway

Address

Causeway Road, Bushmills, County Antrim, BT57 8SU

Bushmills

The Giant’s Causeway lies at the foot of the basalt cliffs along the sea coast on the edge of the Antrim plateau in Northern Ireland.

More Details
Goodnestone Park Gardens

Address

Goodnestone, Wingham, Canterbury, Kent, CT3 1PL

Telephone
01304 840107

enquiries@goodnestoneparkgardens.co.uk

Canterbury

Goodnestone Park Gardens is a peaceful and romantic garden with connections to Jane Austen. One of the loveliest gardens in Kent and a haven of beautiful tranquillity, the gardens and the house have been in the FitzWalter family for over 300 years.

More Details
Capesthorne Hall

Address

Siddington, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 9JY

Telephone
01625 861221

info@capesthorne.com

Macclesfield

Sculptures, paintings, furniture and family monuments. A Georgian chapel, tearooms, gardens, lakes, nature walks and a touring caravan park.

More Details
Court House

Address

Court House, East Quantoxhead, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA5 1EJ

Bridgwater

The Court House in East Quantoxhead, Somerset, England, features a medieval tower and 17th-century additions, and is a Grade I listed building. Owned by the Luttrell family since around 1070, only the medieval tower remains from the manor built…

More Details
Derwent Valley Mills

Address

Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, County Hall, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3AG

Matlock

The Derwent valley, upstream from Derby on the southern edge of the Pennines, contains a series of 18th and 19th century cotton mills and an industrial landscape of high historical and technological significance.

More Details
Firle Place

Address

Firle, Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 6LP

Telephone
01273 858307

events@firle.com

Lewes

Firle Place has been the home of the Gage family for over 500 years. Set at the foot of the Sussex Downs within its own parkland, this unique house, originally Tudor, is built of Caen stone and was substantially remodelled in the 18th century.

More Details
Acton Court

Address

Latteridge Road, Iron Acton, Bristol, Avon, BS37 9TL

Bristol

Acton Court is believed to be the most ‘original’ Tudor house in Britain. In order to maintain the integrity of the building, as far as possible, it has been left in its original state.

More Details

Follow Us...

My Planner1

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Places to Visit Search

Places to Stay Search

What's On Search

Places to Visit Search

Places to Stay Search

What's On Search

Places to Stay Search

Places to Visit Search

What's On Search

Golden Age of pirates

History of piracy

History of piracy

1690s-1700

Post Spanish Succession

Pirates vs Privateers

The end of piracy

Best known privateers

Best known British pirates

Number of results:

Address

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Don't Miss

Places to Visit
Search

Places to Stay
Search

What's On
Search