If you get started on Pirates I would enjoy joy readiing about them.  My computer had to be cleared of a hijacker (again)  this time I had to have the whole damn thing cleared and reinstalled Windows etc.   What about the English who attacked Spanish ships for the Queen  as opposed to plain old criminals out for their own glory? Any difference?

 

By the way, the Pirates beat the Yankees in 1960.

That's an interesting point. Using that criteria one of England's greatest heroes, Sir Francis Drake, was little more than a pirate.  

And a Favorite of Queen Elizabeth I, right?

 

sunday 

An interesting question Mark.  Would it be fair to suggest that British naval dominance began with piracy?

Yes, Sir Francis Drake became a frequent visitor at Court following his circumnavigation of the globe in 1580, and would spend hours telling stories of his adventures to the Queen.

British naval dominance did begin under Elizabeth I, partly through the the exploits of such semi-official "pirates" as Drake but also because of the enterprising nature of it's merchant class. England had a number of commercial naval rivals, especially the Dutch, and it wasn't until the early 18th century that she could claim to be the foremost naval power in the world. 

Mr Jordan,

 

I think the most notorious pirates were 'Blackbeard' and 'Captain Kidd'??  - needless to say, all came to a nasty end.

 

pieces of eight! pieces of eight!

yaaaarrrr

 

capt. blood's fancy

Read Steinbeck's cup of Gold.