Guest Author - Nicola Jane Soen

English history is synonymous with piracy. Although England did not have a proper navy until Henry VIII built it up. This was built upon until Britain had one of the best and most famous navies in the world.

Although piracy was often an issue, this did not seem to upset the monarchy, as long as they had a slice of the action. Although when it did happen to their own treasure they had a lot to say about it!

During the reign of Elizabeth I piracy flourished at an amazing rate. Elizabeth knew it was happening; but as long as she received the plunder in the name of the Crown she did not care at all. Not only was she not bothered, she quite enjoyed antagonising his Most Royal Spanish Majesty.

One of England’s most famous pirates was Captain Kidd. Kidd was born in Scotland in 1665. He was not a pirate but a privateer. These were ships and crew commissioned by the Crown to legally attack and plunder other countries ships; that at the time were considered enemies of the country and crown.

Kidd was excellent at his job; but strangely, because he hit a mutinous sailor over the head with a bucket and killed him he was arrested and hung for murder. This may seem like justice, but if one considered how badly many high ranking officers actually treated their crew; which was appalling to say the least, it becomes odd. Especially as Kidd really only attacked a mutineer, and possibly only acted in self defence.

Another notorious pirate was Captain Morgan. Yes, it is not just a famous whiskey! He was a famous pirate. Captain Morgan or Henry Morgan was a welsh privateer. He was good, very good, when it came to plundering treasure. But he was a traitor; when it came to honouring his men.

After crossing the deadly Isthmus of Panama, a very dangerous swamp; absolutely loaded down with gold plunder, he marooned his entire crew and kept all the gold for himself. He was later arrested for piracy, but he was given an acquittal.

The reason for his acquittal was unfair to say the least. Well, it certainly was not justice, more the whim of a foolish King. Charles II was so impressed with Morgan’s exploits he gave him, not only an acquittal, but a knighthood. One has to remember; this was the King, of whom one of his own courtiers said ‘He never said a foolish thing, but never did a wise one!’(The Earl Of Rochester, 1647-1680) Known as a King of much wit but very little judgement, Charles certainly showed this when he pardoned Morgan.

We today see pirates as romantic but the reality was often quite the opposite, they were bloodthirsty killers’ and thieves’ and gave as much mercy as they were shown, none.