john hawkins

John Hawkins• Born 1532 • Learned sailing

skills working with his father and later fighting the French

• 30 began first slave trading expedition

• Through friendships and family ties Hawkins able to secure backers from the centre of power– Treasurer of the Navy – Benjamin

Gonson– Traders such as William Garrad

• First journey conceived as purely commercial

• Allowed Elizabeth I to claim that it contravened no treaty – still freedom on the High Seas

• Next problem navigation• Hawkins proficient in techniques

of 16th C Navigation• But without

– maps – longitude calculations – familiarity of the region

• voyage was potentially disastrous

• Here Hawkins experience paid off

• Over the years developed a partnership with a trader on the Canaries

• Juan Martinez–A Spanish Pilot form Cadiz

• Knowledge and expertise of both sides of the Spanish Atlantic–profit overcoming loyalty

• Hawkins was also meticulous

• Journey was long and unhealthy• Offered higher wages than

anyone else• He also held out an additional

carrot–Possibility to supplement pay through pillage and private trade

• Also not be afraid to use the stick –Crew new that discipline would be firm

• They also knew that Hawkins would look after them he loaded prodigious supplies– Adequate water– Beer– Biscuit– Fresh beef & salt beef– Fresh and salted fish – Salt, butter, cheese

• Also live pets, that later could be used as food

• Alongside food Hawkins provided other necessities– Broad cloth and cotton for trade– items to replace broken and lost

items and repair the ship• As well as

– carpenters – cooks – barber-surgeon

• And a company of musicians

• Three ships– Salomon, Jonas And Swallow

• Spent four moths in Africa• Guinea was a huge area of 2000

miles– Guinea “the land of the black men” in

Berber• Initially attempted to gain cargo by

capturing slaves– With the help of competing nations

• However, this was to change

• Hawkins soon worked out how to gain profit more easily– British ships better armed and more

maneuverable than Spanish and Portuguese ships

• Easier to coast along the coast and find other Europeans

• Hawkins began attacking ships as they were leaving port

• As one recorder noted Hawkins• “stayed some good time, and got into his possessions, partly by the sword and partly by other means, to the number of 300 Negroes at the least, besides other merchandise, which the country yields”

• Gained so much smallest ship–the Swallow

• sent back to England with goods–Francis Drake on board

• April 1563 Hawkins left Africa and headed across the Atlantic

• Only half slaves survived the journey– In poor condition

• Despite this Hawkins initially had no trouble selling his cargo

• Merchandise was untaxed and therefore cheap

• Eventually local authorities began to take notice

• Lorenzo Bernáldez –young officer dispatched to confront Hawkins

• Facing a much better armed vessel, Bernáldez quickly granted Hawkins a license –Something he had no authority to do

• Hawkins quickly off loaded his goods– Profit was huge

• Ships were so loaded with – Pearls, gold, silver, hides, ginger and other

goods • had too much to sail• Rented two Spanish ships • loaded them up and sent them

back to Spain – with instruction to report to an English

merchant there

• Ships confiscated by the Spanish – Hawkins lost the profit

• confiscated because of letters from the Caribbean

• One ended with the statement that• “Tomorrow all this land could

be come part of England if steps are not taken”

• This is the only indication of the value of the trip

• Confiscated goods had value of £2000– $701,372 in today’s money

• Upon return to England welcomed as a hero

• Despite the loss of the Spanish ships he brought huge profits – for his backers and the men who

had sailed with him• Also granted an audience with the

Queen• With new support and fame easily

able to gain support for a second voyage

• Hawkins not only problem for the Spanish

• Confiscated ships and news of his trip alarmed the Spanish

• Both – piracy of the coast of Africa– trading and undercutting of Spanish

authority in the Caribbean • Fellow former Channel pirate,

Thomas Stucley was also causing problems

• Stucly had been working together with French pirate Ribault– Who had founded the failed

French settlement in Florida

• In Caribbean with fleet of six ships and over three hundred men

• Less well known about because his acts were more provocative

• Stucly wrought havoc all over the Caribbean attacking merchants and colonist equally

• Elizabeth I had no choice but to issue a warrant for his arrest

• She also disowned Stucly– However, she hesitated for a long time

before issuing the order • Acts of adventurers were proving

very useful to Elizabeth's plans for the rebuilding of England

• Actions of Hawkins and Spanish reaction to it

• Symptomatic of the worsening relationship of Catholic Spain and Protestant England

• The situation came to a head on February 25, 1570 with the publication , by Pope Pius V, of

• Regnana in Excelsis

• We declare the said Elizabeth heretic and fautress of heretics, and her servants to have fallen under the sentence of anathema, and to be cut of from the unity of the Body of Christ, and her, Elizabeth, to be deprived of her pretended right to the said realm and of all and every dominion, dignity and privilege…

• In effect an act of Religious Imperialism

• By the time the document had been nailed to the door of Lambeth Palace–Archbishop of Cantebury’s residence in London

• It had become an open invitation to assassinate Queen Elizabeth

• Declaration of War in the eyes of Elizabeth’s Sea Dogs

• The age of hostile commerce– As seen with

Hawkins• Was over

– now it was time for War

• Enter Francis Drake

• But First……

• In response to the Papal Bull

•Drake went to war–To Protect his Queen–To Enrich Himself–Spread the Glory of the English

•Decided to hit directly at source of Spanish power

•$$Wealth of the Americas

• Question:– How had the Spanish brought that

wealth home without trouble for so long?

• Answer – people had attacked at the wrong

place• Rather than attacking the

Flota• Attack the Treasure house at

Nombre de Díos and the treasure Train

• Feb 1571 Drake returned to the Caribbean– knowledge of how to get there as sailed with

Hawkins• But no intimate knowledge of the

region• Through capture and interrogation of

Spanish vessels and their crew• And importantly the help of

Cimaroons• Gained the missing knowledge

• Drake spent three month on the River Charges and surrounding region attacking shipping – Gained increasing knowledge from each

attack• 3 expeditions sent out to capture

him – cost of 4000 pesos (approx. $470,000)

• Drake’s private/public war netted £66,000 ($23.22 Million)

•Drake returned to England•May 24, 1572 he left again for the treasure house of Spain

•With explicit blessing of Elisabeth

•Beginning of Privateers –state sponsored piracy

• Returning to the location from his previous journey, –Which had been found by the Spanish

• Drake constructed a base to began his new attacks

• After meeting up with a fellow privateer –Raunce

• Drake advanced on Nombre de Díos

Nombre de Díos 1909

•Drake took 73 men aboard three small boats –made his way to the “Treasure house of the World”

•Between 2-3am clouds parted revealing a full moon

•Drake ordered the attack

• Advantage of surprise Drakes attack was successful –To a degree

• Drake hurt • they collected some silver • failed to get into the treasure

house–(which they would later find was empty)

• Alcalde of Nombre de Díos counted his losses

• Sent an envoy to drake

• Drake Advised the governor to

• hold open his eyes, before he departed, if God lent him life and leave, he meant to reap some of their harvest, which they get out of the earth

• While recovering from wounds became friendly with Diego –former slave

• Hatched plan to hit treasure train before it got to Nombre de Díos

• Spent time attacking in the region waiting for the next train

• Lost some men to Spanish attack– Including his Brother

•Moral beginning to drop–Running out of supplies

•Recovered somewhat when they captured a 90 ton Spanish supply vessel

•Shortly after Drake and remaining men –With 30 cimaroones

•headed out again in to the forest

• Leader of Cimaroons, Pedro, asked Drake to climb a tree

• Puzzled but OK• Sees both sides of the Panama

Isthmus– both Atlantic and Pacific Oceans

• Spanish get news that Drake is on move– Separate the wealth

• Drake stuck made off with limited goods

• March 31, 1573 headed back out• This time successful

• Adding $23 Million to their haul• Of which $2.13 million belonged

personally to Philip

•Returning to ships headed back to England

•Returning in Plymouth Harbor on Aug 9, 1574

•Drake had now made two successful and profitable journeys

• “Singeing the King of Spain’s Beard”

•Upon Drakes return to England following his second voyage

•Was praised by many•But his deeds had been privately motivated

• In order to prove his loyalty without question he was sent to help in the “pacification” of Ireland

• Having worked in Ireland for several years– Or he may have been in prison– Or he may have met and married wife

• Drake returned to England for his next venture– Conceived while at the top of a tree in

America• Perfectly timed• Several factors came together to

make his next voyage not only possible but probable

•Second cousin and man who had first taken him to America

• John Hawkins•On November 18, 1577•Was appointed as “treasurer for marine courses”

•Basically head of Navy and naval affairs

• In addition Martin Frobisher and his promoter Michael Lok

•pushing the (false) news that during trip to North America

• Frobisher had discovered Gold•Spain’s wealth may now be countered by gold for England?

• International exploration was booming

• In addition British trade into the region known as the Barbary coast had grown from 1572

• Elizabeth was promoting the trade and encouraging voyages to the region

• And in 1576 an important and influential book was to be published by Dr. John Dee

• Within book was a shorter piece called• “A Petty Royal Navy”• Dee laid out a 13 point plan for a

standing navy to act as Britain’s defense– also first to refer to the British Empire

• Planned for a fleet of 75 ships• Claiming that pirates of good

character would be happy to join this fleet

• It would also provide work for vagrants

• Dee went on to write that

• “This Petty Navy Royal is thought to be the only Master Key wherewith to open all the locals that keep or hinder this incomparable British Empire from enjoying . . . such a yearly revenue of Treasure . . . with so great ease”

• All things seaborne were in favor at this time

• A third voyage for, the already successful, Drake was assured

• All things seaborne were in favor at this time

• A third voyage for, the already successful, Drake was assured

• Drake permitted audience with the Queen

• She permitted him the use of a ship and supplied a cash investment– That is she invested personal not

government funds• Also agreed to his terms that

included that•“the Queen’s Majesty may be made privy to the truth of the voyage, and yet the color [cover] to be given out to Alexandria”

•True intent of Drake’s voyage

•Attack the Spanish in what was known as the “Spanish Sea”–Pacific

• July 1577, Elizabeth decided that Drake would be allowed to go to Alexandria

• Drake set sail with five ships–Pelican–Elizabeth–Marigold–Swan–Christopher

• Leaving Plymouth he headed south for Africa

• Captured Portuguese ship– Santa Maria – renamed the Mary

• Took navigator, Nuño de Silva to aid his voyage

• Worked his way down coast of Africa – instead of heading east he headed west

• Course was clear and crew now knew for certain what they may have only suspected before

• They were not heading for Alexandria• On April 5, 1578 they reached Brazil

• En route he renamed the Pelican the Golden Hind

• In honor of his main benefactor Sir Christopher Hatton–His Coat of Arms was topped by the image of a Golden Hind

•With aide of Portuguese maps worked his way south and headed for the

•Strait of Magellan

• First European ship to pass through captained by Magellen

• Magellan, had died during a battle in the Philippines

• But ship returned to Europe• The journey through the straits

is notoriously rough and dangerous

• It did not disappoint on this occasion

Pen Gwiins – White Shirt

• As he headed down the coast to the Straits

• Two boats abandoned– Swan and Christopher

• Caught in storms for two months at entrance to Straits– Marigold went down with all on board

• Elizabeth got caught up in storms and headed back to England

• Golden Hind limped on alone• After entering the Pacific • Drake landed and made necessary

repairs• A short time later came across a

native canoe – “persuaded” its occupant to become his new

Navigator• Using small boats

– brought with him for the purpose • attacked and plundered cities and

ships along the coast

• However the big prize was the

• Señora de la Concepcion

• Commonly know as

• CacaFuego• A Peruvian

treasure ship• Capture told by

captain

• When they heard this, a whistle sounded in the English ship and a trumpet responded. At once, they discharged what seemed to be about sixty arquebuses, and then many arrows which struck the side of my ship. Shortly, a heavy gun was fired with chainballs which carried away the mizzen-mast into the sea with the sail and the yard. Another heavy gun was fired, someone saying that I should strike. At this point, the launch came alongside on the portside with a matter of some forty arquebusiers, who climbed up the channels to which the shrouds are fas tened and came aboard my ship. The English ship lay alongside on the starboard and thus they made me strike sail.

• the English ship crossed the stern of my ship, and shortly came along side, abreast of the tack. I hailed her, but the Corsair did not answer. On asking what ship it was, the answer came that it was a ship from Chile, and believing this, I went to the side, the English ship having al ready run foul of me [taken the wind from his sails]. Some one said "Englishmen—strike sail," and another said "Strike sail, Senor San Juan de Anton! If not, see that we will send you to the bottom." I said, "What old tub is that to order me to strike sail? Come on board and do so yourself."

• The haul was huge

• It took three full days to transfer goods

• “Our ship shall no more be called the Cacafuego but the Cacaplata”

• Drake continued up the coast

• On July 23, 1759 Drake struck out West• Why?• No one knows for sure as his orders

were kept secret• Was this his initial plan or did he head

that way to avoid the Spanish who were now hunting him

• Either way he and crew spent 68 days out of sight of land before hitting Micronesia on Sept 30, 1579

• September 26, 1580• The Golden Hind, weather worn but

loaded, limped into Plymouth• On the way in a few local fishermen

heard a voice from the ship• “Is Elizabeth still Queen”• An odd question they thought but they

answered in the affirmative• These few men were the welcome

party for one of the world’s greatest adventures

• Unsure of his welcome• Would his actions be treason or

patriotism?• But Drake need not have worried • The money he brought back

smoothed any doubts• Elizabeth Knighted Drake on Board

the Golden Hind, calling him• “the master pirate of the known

world”• The money also dispersed quickly• No full accounting was taken but

nobody complained

•Drake received at least £10,000 ($3.43 Mill)

•The Queen’s personal take exceeded more than a full years expenditure for the whole country

•This was Piracy on a grand scale

And now back to Tortuga

• When we left Tortuga the buccaneers had just moved in

• Over the next few years the island swapped hands frequently

• Finally in 1640 a group of French Calvinist's arrived on the island

• They had arrived from St Kitts, and were led by an engineer

• Led by the engineer the group built a strong hold

• Cutting steps into a cliff face until to steep for steps they then affixed an iron ladder

• On the top of the cliff they built a strong fort and armed it with cannon

• When a Spanish fleet returned, the cannon opened fire

• Sank several ships and forced the Spanish to retreat

• The settlement would prosper for almost a century

• The fort became a depot for trade

• Meat, hides, tobacco, sugar, brandy and rum, gunpowder and guns, cloth for sails

• All of which could be purchased or bartered by anyone

• Plundered goods were welcome

• The strength of the fort attracted not only the buccaneers trade

• But also the buccaneers themselves• It became a base for many • The society formed was unusual • Egalitarian• Two men would form a compact and

work together until death• At death all good would pass to the

second who would have support the wife of the dead partner

• Once the agreement was made –one partner headed out to sea to plunder

–second remained on the island to hunt and provide for the group

• Gradually the community grew attracting more members

• Both buccaneers, farmers and merchants

• And gradually became more powerful

• Francois Lolonois• Indentured servant• Reputation for

courage and cruelty• “expect no quarter

give no quarter”• Recruited 500 men

and planed to raid the Spanish settlement of Maracaibo

• Fleet able to take Maracaibo and Gibraltar

• Next plan was for attack on settlements on Lake Nicaragua– sacked the town, little money was

taken• This is where Lolonois reputation for

violence was secured• When one of the captives showed

defiance• Lolonois cut open his chest, ripped

out his heart• Taking a bite he held the blooded

heart in front of a second captive

• After failed attack buccaneers split up

• Lolonois left with a number in one ship– Ran aground

• Took lots to see who would go for help in a small row boat– Lolonois was one to leave

• Local natives captured Lolonois, they knew of his violent reputation

• He was roasted and eaten

• Over the years Spanish wore down Buccaneers

• Additionally religious and national disputes weaken the cohesiveness of the group

• 1655 the British took control of Jamaica

• Fearful of a Spanish counter attack

• The British welcome the Buccaneers for the protection they offered

Well known Port Royal Buccaneers• Rock Brasilliano

– unpredictable, feared when drunk, Governor of Jamaica moved to avoid him

• Bartholomew the Portuguese– unlucky in keeping treasure but,

good at escape• Red Leg Greaves• Scottish,

– grew up a slave, known to be humane to captives

• And now a little visit to Port Royal……

•And now over to Christopher Wood Graduate Student studying Pirates

Henry MorganMore popularly known as……..

Meanwhile….Back in England…• The English Civil

War, 1641–1649 (1651)

• The Commonwealth, under Cromwell, from 1649 to 1660

• The Restoration, Charles II, in 1660

• The Glorious Revolution, in 1688– Henry Morgan’s

Death

Pirates of the Caribbean• After the capture of Jamaica by the English,

Port Royal became the centre for a new stage of Piracy

• No longer would the Spanish have to face sporadic attacks by individuals

• Now it had to face organized large scale government sponsored attacks

• And the big man, the big name, in this phase of Privateers was Henry Morgan

Henry Morgan• Born in Wales in 1635

– Grew up in a country torn by war and strife

• 1654 sailed with British expeditionary force to capture Hispaniola– Failed

• Took Jamaica instead • After cashing out of service stayed

on as buccaneer• 1662 purchased own ship

• Came under the tutelage of Commodore Sir Christopher Myngs

• Joined him in attack on Santiago Cuba

• However- Attempting to secure peace with Spain

• 1663 King Charles II recalled warships from region

• Governor Modyford of Jamaica• Fearful of attack began issuing

letters of marque– For a fee and a percentage

• With Myngs recalled, Captain Edward Mansfield became de facto Naval leader

• 1664- Morgan bought a commission and headed out with four other captains

• Raided numerous cities and town along the coast of the mainland

HispaniolaJamaicaVillahermosaGran GranadaPortobelloMaracaiboPanama

• Due to his capabilities Morgan became leader of the expedition

• After several successful attacks he led the group to Gran Granada

• Persuading local Indian guides he headed into Nicaragua

• Only to come out on a city much larger than expected

• With a bold move Morgan attacked in broad daylight

• Taken by surprise the city quickly fell– He then proceeded to torture people to learn

the whereabouts of their personal wealth

• Morgan returned to Jamaica in 1665 a hero

• Upon return Morgan discovered his Uncle Edward Morgan had become Lieutenant Governor– He married Edward Morgan’s daughter– Purchased the first of several

plantations• Captain Mansfield died in 1668 at the

hands of the Spanish• Morgan was elected• Leader of the Brethren

– At 30 he had wealth, property and power

Attack on Portobello-1668

• After his successful attack at Gran Granada

• Morgan planed his next mission• Initial idea Havana• To big and to well defended• Second choice Portobello

Portobello

• ALSO Well defended- – BUT mainly by badly

trained garrison troops• 460 buccaneers• Attacked using

captives as human shields– Nuns and Priests,

carrying ladders• Allowed his men to sack

the city but not burn it• Threatened Spanish that

he would destroy it– Eventually received large

ransom

Maracaibo

Next Attack: Maracaibo

• People had fled Maracaibo –They didn’t want to be “eaten alive”–Morgan attacked Gibraltar instead

• Spanish turned up and defended the narrow straits out

•Overwhelming forces•Demanded surrender

• Morgan’s Crews: “We’ll meet you in battle”

• Spies reported to Spanish: –Captured ship was being made into

flagship–A small sloop was to be used as a fire

ship

• Morgan and his crew headed into battle

• The flagship leading the way• But Morgan had tricked them

• Flag ship was a fake – it was the fire ship• Defeated Spanish fleet, but Fort still

held– Split the treasure between ships, ready to

flee– Prepared for a secret attack of the fort by

land• Ferried men to shore in canoes, leaving ships

unmanned• But the Spanish saw this, turned their cannon

inland• But Morgan had tricked the Spanish

again– Men simply laid down in canoes

• Fully manned ship sailed away

Morgan at Maracaibo