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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

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.

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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.

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Trewithen

Address

Grampound Road, Near Truro, Cornwall, TR2 4DD

Telephone
01726 883647

secretary@trewithenestate.co.uk

Near Truro

Trewithen is an historic estate near Truro, Cornwall. Owned and lived in by the same family for 300 years, it is both private home and national treasure.

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Palace of Westminster

Address

Westminster, London, London, SW1A 0AA

London

The Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, and St Margaret’s Church together encapsulate the history of one of the most ancient parliamentary monarchies of present times and the growth of parliamentary and constitutional institutions.

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Cortachy Estate

Address

Cortachy, Kirriemuir, Angus, DD8 4LX

Telephone
01575 530387

office@airlieestates.com

Kirriemuir

Countryside walks including access through woodlands to Airlie Monument on Tulloch Hill with spectacular views of the Angus Glens and Vale of Strathmore. Footpaths are waymarked and colour coded.

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Enjoy Kentwell Hall's Stunning Gardens

Address

Kentwell Hall, Long Melford, Suffolk, CO10 9BA

Telephone
01787 310207

enquiries@kentwell.co.uk

Long Melford

We look forward to welcoming you back! In-line with government guidelines we are excited to re-open our gardens; Wednesdays - Sundays. At this time of year, the gardens that extend to over 30 acres, are at their most colourful and fresh and are a…

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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.

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Cornwall Garden Society Spring Flower Show

Address

The Estate Office, Boconnoc, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0RG

Telephone
01208 872507

info@boconnoc.com

Lostwithiel

The CGS Spring Flower Show is firmly established as one of the most widely respected flower shows in the UK. It’s also known as one of the most friendly and inclusive shows and as such it attracts exhibitors and visitors from all over the country…

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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.

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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

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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.

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High Beeches Woodland and Water Garden

Address

High Beeches Lane, Handcross, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6HQ

Telephone
01444 400589

gardens@highbeeches.com

Haywards Heath

Set in the High Weald with wonderful views of the South Downs High Beeches has been sensitively planted with many rare trees and shrubs to create a place of great beauty and tranquillity.

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Berry Pomeroy Castle

Address

Berry Pomeroy, TOTNES, Devon, TQ9 6LJ

Telephone
01803 866618

TOTNES

Tucked away in a deep wooded valley Berry Pomeroy Castle is the perfect romantic ruin with a colourful history of intrigue.

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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.

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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…

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Whittington Court

Address

Whittington, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL54 4HF

Telephone
01242 820556

lucy@whittingtoncourt.co.uk

Cheltenham

Whittington Court is a small Tudor manor house with Jacobean and later additions, set in beautiful Cotswold countryside five miles east of Cheltenham.

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Little Malvern Court

Address

Little Malvern, Nr. Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 4JN

Telephone
07856 035599

visits@littlemalverncourt.co.uk

Nr. Malvern

Prior's Hall, C. 1480, of former Benedictine Monastery. Library, Religious Vestments, Embroideries, Paintings. 10 acre garden - lakes, spring bulbs, blossom, old roses and shrubs.

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Wilton House

Address

Wilton, Salisbury, SP2 0BJ

Telephone
01722 746728

tourism@wiltonhouse.com

Salisbury

Whether you come to stroll in the grounds, watch your children let off steam in the adventure playground, or enjoy the art collection in the House, come and enjoy Wilton House.

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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.…

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Kiftsgate Court Gardens

Address

Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, GL55 6LN

Telephone
01386 438777

info@kiftsgate.co.uk

Gloucestershire

Three generations of women gardeners have designed, planted and sustained this garden. The gardens around the house combine harmonious colour schemes, whilst the sheltered lower gardens have a Mediterranean feel.

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Salisbury Cathedral

Address

The Close, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 2EJ

Telephone
01722 512156

visitors@salcath.co.uk

Salisbury

Salisbury Cathedral is a medieval masterpiece, standing for over 800 years. Stepping into this spectacular living church you will find stunning ancient architecture and colourful stained-glass treasures, along with breath-taking modern art and…

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Best known privateers

Best known British pirates

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