Letter of marque- legal pirates

Legal Pirates: The Story of Privateers and the Legend of Sir Francis Drake

Did you know there were legal pirates?

Would you believe that there was a time when piracy wasn’t always considered criminal. In the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, governments used to issue a Letter of Marque, this document granted private individuals the legal authority to attack and capture enemy ships. They were called privateers who turned plundering into a legitimate wartime strategy, blurring the lines between piracy and patriotism. Some nations went even further, they didn’t only issue a license for these sea raiders, but they publicly honoured them for their exploits.

One of the most famous examples of this was Sir Francis Drake, whose story tells of the fascinating link, in those times, between piracy and politics. On April 1, 1581, Queen Elizabeth I came on board France Drake’s ship, The Golden Hind, and bestowed upon him one of the greatest honours of the time, a knighthood. However, this wasn’t just a reward for his courage or skill as a sailor, in fact the truth was due to the staggering amount of loot he had bought back.

A Journey to Riches

Sir Francis Drake had just returned from his circumnavigation of the globe, however, his 36,000-mile journey was historic for a very different reason. It was one of the most profitable expeditions ever undertaken in history.

On his trip, Drake and his crew attacked Spanish galleons, looted their treasures, and even raided coastal settlements. By the time he returned to England, Drake had fortune that was so big it made him the wealthiest pirate in the world.

This is the really extraordinary bit about this journey as this wealth didn’t just benefit Drake. You see before his expedition, Queen Elizabeth struck a deal with him.  It was that she would back his voyage, and in return, they would split whatever he managed to plunder. The Queen had gambled, and her gamble paid off spectacularly. When Drake returned, his haul had basically doubled the crown’s treasury, earning him not just the admiration of the queen but also her eternal gratitude.

Knighting a Pirate

Queen Elizabeth’s decision to knight Drake was more than a personal gesture of appreciation, it was a bold political statement. By doing this publicly she legitimized his actions and sent a clear message to her enemies: England would not only defy but profit from its adversaries. By knighting this man who had caused such immense losses to Spain she was being deliberately provocative, rubbing salt in the wounds of King Philip II.

Drake’s exploits included some of the most daring raids in maritime history. He captured the Spanish treasure ship Nuestra Señora de la Concepción, loaded with gold, silver, and precious gems, while he ransacked numerous ports along the Pacific coast. The effect of his actions was to disrupt the flow of wealth back to Spain from its colonies, dealing major damage to its economy. It is claimed that Drake’s actions were not simply about personal gain; he appeared to enjoy the chance to undermine Spain’s supremacy and advance England’s position.

The Armada’s Revenge

Drake’s success came at a price. His continued attacks and daring plundering did what it was intended to do and exasperated King Philip II of Spain.  Historians believe that Drake’s actions were a key factor in Philip’s decision to launch the Spanish Armada in 1588. King Philip planed the Armada to invade England and most importantly overthrow Queen Elizabeth, however, it did the exact opposite as its failure confirmed England’s naval supremacy and secured its place as a global power.

Drake played a crucial role in the defeat of the Armada, further cementing his reputation as one of England’s greatest maritime heroes.

While celebrated in England, Drake was despised in Spain, where he was seen as nothing more than a pirate and a thief.

Legal Piracy: A Double-Edged Sword

The era of legal piracy highlights the complex relationship between morality and power in history. By legitimizing piracy through letters of marque, governments turned outlaws into tools of war, blurring the lines between heroism and criminality. Figures like Sir Francis Drake are prefect examples of this. To some, he was a fearless explorer and a loyal servant of the crown; to others, he was a ruthless opportunist who thrived on chaos and conflict.

Drake’s story is a reminder that history is often written by the victors. His knighthood wasn’t just a reward for his skill or bravery, Queen Elizabeth was sending  message of England’s defiance and strength.

So, the next time you hear talk of pirates deeds, remember, not all of them flew the skull and crossbones. Some flew the flag of their country, plundering with royal permission and shaping the course of history. Sir Francis Drake may have been a pirate, but he was also a knight, a symbol of the bizarre and fascinating world of legal piracy.

The Armada is such an important event in our history that our sister site, Educational Musicals, has published a 50 minute musical for Key Stage 2 and 3 children called The Spanish Armada – The Invasion of England with 12 original and  entertaining songs to take the story along.

Go to The Spanish Armada – The Invasion of England which takes you to the show at Educational Musicals

Lets Make History Fun.

Questions to discuss:

Ethics and Legality:

• • • Was it truly ethical for governments to sanction piracy, even against enemy nations? Did it blur the lines between war and crime?
    • How did the public perceive these “legal pirates”? Were they seen as heroes or villains? Did their perception shift over time?
    • Did the existence of “legal pirates” encourage true piracy, or did it help control it?

Motivations and Rewards:

• • • Beyond financial gain, what motivated individuals to become privateers? Was it patriotism, adventure, or something else?
    • How did the balance of power work between privateers and the governments that commissioned them? Did the privateers ever become too powerful?
    • Were there any negative consequences for the individuals involved in privateering, beyond the risks of war?

Historical Context and Impact:

• • • How did the practice of privateering impact the course of specific wars, such as the conflict between England and Spain?
    • Did privateering have any lasting impact on international law or maritime trade?
    • How does the concept of “legal piracy” compare to modern forms of state-sanctioned violence, such as private military contractors?

Additional Points:

• • • The blog post mentions Sir Francis Drake as an example. Were there other notable “legal pirates” whose stories could be explored?
    • Could you delve deeper into the “excuse” used for Drake’s knighthood? Was it truly just about circumnavigation, or were there other political factors at play?
    • The post states that Drake’s actions may have contributed to the Spanish Armada. Could you elaborate on this connection and the historical evidence to support it?

These are just a few suggestions. By exploring these questions and others, you can gain a deeper understanding of the complex and fascinating world of “legal pirates” and their impact on history.

For more on this go to: 

https://www.britannica.com/story/pirates-privateers-corsairs-buccaneers-whats-the-difference

https://www.wondriumdaily.com/privateers-how-do-they-differ-from-pirates/ 

https://pirates.fandom.com/wiki/Privateer

© Tony Dalton