With these words the King Of England, Henry III. issued one of the first letters of marque and reprise in 1243. This gave rise to the era of privateering which flourished from the 16th to the 18th centuries.
* See introduction to privateering for more info on letters of marque and the definition of privateering.

Although privateering gained it's roots at the end of the 11th century, and the early 1200's, it wasn't until the 16th century, during the "age of discovery", that privateering fllourished. During this "golden age", there were many different types of Privateers from all different nationalities sailing the seas in search of heavenly gold, honour and riches. Here is a brief history of some of these groups:

The Barbary Corsairs:
Early 16th Century "Privateers"

As the Turkish empire expanded, the Barbary States of Algeri, Tripoli, and Tunisia formed along the coasts of the North Africa. This area was commonly referred to as the Barbary Coast. The Barbary Corsairs were a group of Islamic "privateers" that first sailed the southern coasts of the Mediterranean. The name Barbary came from two Greek-born brothers who were among the first, and most famous, of the corsairs of that region during the 16th century: Aruj and Kheir ed din - the Barbarossa brothers.

Much like their royal European brethren, the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire would issue letters of marque to Barbary Corsairs. Barbary Corsairs returning to port would be greeted by agents of the local pasha, waiting to claim the royal piece of the action. Among the captains of the Barbary Corsairs were to be found many Europeans. These expatriates were often referred to as renegadoes - the origin of our modern word renegade.

• Click here for a map of the Barbary Coast.

The Barbary Corsairs sailed on sleek fast galleys designed for only short periods at sea. They often carried so many slaves and fighters that food and water could only last for six or seven weeks.

• Click here to view a Mediterranean galley used by the Barbary Cosairs

The Barbary Corsairs used slaves to power their sleek ships but the slaves did not do any of the fighting, they were simply used to man giant oars much like those used on Viking long boats.

The fighting was carried out by Muslim "Janissaries", who were a well-trained and highly disciplined group of professional soldiers. These ferocious and fearless solders fought in the name of their god, "Allah", waging a holy war, known as "Jihad" against their Christian counterparts.

When a Barbary galley drew alongside a Christian vessel, as many as 100 Janissaries swarmed aboard the Christian vessel and overpowered the crew. This method was extremely successful for the Barbary Corsairs and many Christian ships did not stand a chance. If the Barbary Corsairs managed to capture a Christian ship, the crew members would be stripped of their clothes and belonging sand moments later would be manning the oars of the galley destined to be sold for a life of slavery in an African port. In some particularly ferocious sea battles, Barbary Corsairs rammed ships bound for the "Holy Crusades" and captured the wealthy Christian knights on board. These Knights were often ransomed to Christian missionaries. On these raids, the ship's captain was referred to as a "raïs" and was in charge of navigation. The "agha", or leader of the Janissaries was in overall command until the ship returned to port. The "raïs " formed a corporation called a "taiffa" which had a remarkable political weight and exercised true entrepreneurial activity with the division of the booty for participation quotas. Their exploits made them heroes in the Muslim world.

Click here for an example of treaties signed between the United States & The Barbary Corsairs in the 18th Century

Some famous Barbary Corsairs include:

• The "Barbarossa" Brothers - Aruj & Kheir ed-Din, circa. 1510-1546
• Dragut Rais - Famous Barbary Corsair Circa 1539-1565

The Knights Of Malta:
Enemy of the Barbary Cosairs

Located on the small island of Malta, in the Mediterranean. These Christian corsairs led a fight against the "heathen" Islamic Barbary Corsairs. With the Knights of Malta as their patrons, the corsairs waged a religious war against their Islamic counterparts. Religious zeal amongst the Knights was paramount but as time went on commerce and material wealth also became important.

The Corsairs of Malta used galleys crewed by the Maltese, Corsicans and the French, with financial backing provided by the Knights of Malta. The corsairs brought great wealth to Malta until the late 1680's when treaties signed by the European and Barbary powers ceased hostilities.

The Corsairs of Malta sailed similar galleys to their Muslim adversaries. However, the Christian galleys had two large sails unstead of one, fewer oars and more guns.

• A Christian (Maltese) Galley
• Knights of Malta Armour

Click here for the history of the Knights Of Malta

The European Privateers

Between the 16th and 18th centuries, privateering flourished as European nations fought each other in costly wars in an effort to capture wealth. What sparked these wars was the discovery of the North and South America by Christopher Columbus in 1492. The articles and treasure from the "New World" amazed and astounded the people of the 16th century. For example, Spanish writer Bernal Diaz described a huge gold disk "in the shape of the sun, as big as a cartwheel."Spanish conquistadors ruthlessly plundered the wealth of the Aztec, Inca and Mayan nations of Mexico and Peru and throughout the 16th and 17th century. During this period, vast quantities of gold and silver were shipped back to Europe.

The newly discovered empire was referred to as "The Spanish Main" which originally meant the parts of central and South American mainlands, from Mexico to Peru. It later came to include the islands and waters of the Caribbean.

This attracted the attention of many European nations who wanted a stake the wealth. The first European privateers on the scene were the French, who were soon followed by the English and Dutch.

• The French Corsairs
• The English Privateers
• The Dutch Privateers
• The Spanish Privateers

Privateering Links

• Piracy & Privateering in the 16th Century
  Great general information on privateering during the 16th century.

• English Privateers: an Introduction
  A good article by Cindy Valler on English Privateering, with emphasis on Queen Elizabeth's Sea Dogs

• French Privateers: an Introduction
  A good article by Cindy Valler on French Privateering.

• The Isle of Tortega: Pirate & Privateering Links
  A great site with many primary documents, like letters of marque etc.

• No Quarter Given: Pirate & Privateering Links
  The Mother Of All privateering & piracy links. A super site!

• Piracy, Privateering and Elizabethan Maritime Expansion
  A Superb Article On Elizabethan Privateering.