My Planner0

To build your own Itinerary, click Add to Excursion to add an item to your Itinerary basket.

Already saved an Itinerary?

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: 122

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

, currently showing 101 to 120.

Gainsborough's House

Address

46 Gainsborough Street, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2EU

Telephone
01787 372958

mail@gainsborough.org

Sudbury

Gainsborough’s House is the childhood home of Thomas Gainsborough RA, now a museum with an outstanding collection of his work.

More Details
Copped Hall

Address

Crown Hill, Epping, Essex, CM16 5HS

Telephone
0207 267 1679

coxalan1@aol.com

Epping

Copped Hall was the burnt-out shell of a fine Georgian mansion but now being restored. Superbly sited on a ridge overlooking its landscaped parkland. The mansion and gardens are situated on a site of ancient human habitation.

More Details
Alderford Watermill

Address

Alderford Street, Sible Hedingham, Essex, CO9 3XH

Telephone
0774 090 1323

gemma.clayton@essex.gov.uk

Sible Hedingham

One of the most complete historic watermills in Essex with most of the original machinery. Restored working water wheel. Open weekends in spring and summer.

More Details
Castle Rising Castle

Address

Castle Rising, Norfolk, PE31 6AH

Telephone
01553 631330

thecastle@castlerising.com

Norfolk

Castle Rising Castle is a fine example of a Norman castle. The rectangular keep, one of the largest, was built around 1140 by William D'Albini.

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
Wern Isaf

Address

Penmaen Park, Llanfairfechan, Conwy, LL33 0RN

Llanfairfechan

This Arts and Crafts house was built in 1900 by the architect H L North as his family home and contains much of the original furniture and William Morris fabrics.

More Details
Harlech Castle (Cadw)

Address

Harlech Castle (Cadw), Castle Square, Harlech, Gwynedd, LL46 2YH

Telephone
01766 780552

harlechcastle@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Harlech

Explore the magnificent castle of Edward I at Harlech - which is inscribed on the World Heritage List. One of the most formidable and dominant fortresses in Wales. Panoramic views of Snowdonia and the sea. On site exhibition.

More Details
Fairfield House

Address

Stogursey, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA5 1PU

fairfieldvisits@gmail.com

Bridgwater

Fairfield is a medieval manor house and the family home of the Acland-Hood family for over eight centuries. The first manor house was built as early as 1166. The house has passed numerous times through the female line, so the family name of the…

More Details
The Manor, Hemingford Grey

Address

Hemingford Grey, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE28 9BN

Telephone
01480 463134

diana_boston@hotmail.com

Huntingdon

Built about 1130. Famous as the House of Green Knowe in the children's books by Lucy Boston. Her patchwork collection is on display. Garden, topiary and roses.

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
Cyfarthfa Castle Museum and Art Gallery

Address

Cyfarthfa Park, Merthyr Tydfil, Mid Glamorgan, CF47 8RE

Telephone
01685 727371

museum@wellbeingmerthyr.co.uk

Merthyr Tydfil

Cyfarthfa Castle is widely regarded as the best-preserved and grandest Ironmaster’s house in Wales. The building, which is Grade 1 listed, is of national, historical, and architectural significance and was built in 1825 for the Ironmaster, William…

More Details
Hemerdon House

Address

Plympton, Devon, PL7 5BZ

hemerdon.house@gmail.com

Devon

Late Georgian house built by the ancestors of the current owners and set in its own parkland. Family members offer tours on certain days (see www.hemerdonhouse.co.uk for details), and visitors may also explore the grounds on those days.

More Details
Stonehenge and Avebury

Address

Amesbury, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 7DE

Salisbury

The Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites World Heritage Site is internationally important for its complexes of outstanding prehistoric monuments. Stonehenge is the most architecturally sophisticated prehistoric stone circle in the world, while…

More Details
Iscoyd Park

Address

Nr Whitchurch, Shropshire, SY13 3AT

Telephone
01948 780785

info@iscoydpark.com

Shropshire

A red brick Georgian house in an idyllic 18th century parkland setting situated on the Welsh side of the Shropshire/Welsh border.

More Details
Cadhay

Address

Ottery St Mary, Devon, EX11 1QT

Telephone
01404 813511

Rupert.th@googlemail.com

Devon

Cadhay is approached by an avenue of lime-trees, and stands in an extensive garden, with herbaceous borders and yew hedges, with excellent views over the original medieval fish ponds.

More Details
Tabley House

Address

Tabley Lane, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 0HB

Telephone
01565 750151

tableyhouse@btconnect.com

Knutsford

The finest Palladian house in the northwest, Tabley was designed by John Carr of York for the Leicester family. It houses one of the finest collections of English paintings, including works by Turner, Reynolds, Lawrence and Dobson.

More Details
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
Forth Bridge

Address

South Queensferry, West Lothian, EH30 9SF

South Queensferry

The Forth Bridge, which spans the estuary (Firth) of the River Forth in eastern Scotland to link Fife to Edinburgh by railway, was the world’s earliest great multispan cantilever bridge, and at 2,529 m remains one of the longest. It opened in 1890…

More Details
Durham Castle and Cathedral

Address

Owengate, Durham, County Durham, DH1 3HB

Durham

Durham Cathedral was built between the late 11th and early 12th century to house the bodies of St. Cuthbert (634-687 AD) (the evangeliser of Northumbria) and the Venerable Bede (672/3-735 AD).

More Details
Wotton House

Address

Wotton Underwood, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0SB

Telephone
01844 238363

landscape@wottonhouse.com

Aylesbury

The Capability Brown Pleasure Grounds at Wotton, currently undergoing restoration, are related to the Stowe gardens, both belonging to the Grenville family when Brown laid out the Wotton grounds between 1750 and 1767.

More Details

Follow Us...

My Planner0

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

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Address

Address

Telephone

Don't Miss

Places to Visit
Search

Places to Stay
Search

What's On
Search