Christopher Condent ::
Blackbeard ::
Black Bart
Grace O'Malley ::
Anne Bonney ::
Mary Read
Bartholomew Roberts (Black Bart)
John Roberts was born in Pembrokeshire, Wales, in 1682. He was third mate on a Bristol
slaver in 1719 off the coast of Africa, when fellow Welshman, Howell Davis, attacked. Roberts
joined Davis, and took the name Bartholomew at that time. Davis was killed a few weeks later on
Sao Tome by the orders of the Portuguese governor. Roberts led the pirates to safety and was elected
to replace their dead captain; he also chose to avenge him by burning the fort. In total, Roberts
took some 400 ships. Bartholomew Roberts was a strict disciplinarian. Unlike most pirates, he never
drank liquor, only tea. He also held religious services aboard ship. In 1721, Roberts captured a
ship carrying the governor of Martinique and hung him from the yardarm. Captain Challoner Ogle,
commander of the warship Swallow, had been sent to capture him. On February 5, 1722, Ogle found
Roberts & his three ships anchored in Cape Lopez, West Africa. Believing that the Swallow was a
merchantman, Roberts sent the Ranger out after her. She headed for open seas. Out of sight of the
harbor, Ogle ordered his men to attack. Ten pirates were killed & twenty wounded before surrendering.
Ogle swiftly returned to Cape Lopez for the remaining pirates on February 10th, and found the Royal
Fortune at Anchor and most of the crew drunk or hung over. The Swallow headed straight for the Royal
Fortune and fired from broadside which toppled the Royal Fortune's mizzenmast. When the smoke cleared,
Roberts was slumped over a cannon, dead. His body was thrown overboard, in accordance with his wishes
that it never be put on display.
Grace O'Malley
Gráinne was the only daughter of sea captain and clan chieftain Owen Dubhdara ("Black Oak") O'Malley,
ruler of umhall Uachtarach, the Barony of Murrisk, and Margaret daughter of Conchobhor OgMac
Conchobhair, mic Maoilseachlain O'Malley, of the sept of Moher, a noblewoman from another branch
of the clan. Gráinne also had a brother, Donal-na-Piopa (Donal of the pipes. Gráinne married her
first husband, Donal-an-Coghaidh ("Donal of the Battles") O'Flaherty; chieftain of the Ballinahich
sept, at the age of 16. It is unclear exactly what happened that resulted in Gráinne not being the
stay at home wife that was expected in this time, but she returned to the sea with many of her husband's
men with her. Her husband died at the hands of his enemies, and she returned to settle on Clare Island
and launched a career of piracy and plunder. By 1567, she decided to marry again. She married
Richard Bourke, chieftain of the sept of Ulick of Burrishoole and Carra. He was also called
Richard-an-Iarainn, (Iron Richard). This marriage was for property as much for anything else.
She gave birth to Richard's son Theobald, or also know as Tibbott-ne-Long (Toby of the ships) while at
sea, when she was 37. Gráinne became so powerful that the English laid seize to Rockfleet Castle in 1574.
After 18 days, Gráinne's defense turned into an attack on the English, who were forced to retreat.
In 1578, she was imprisoned for 2 years, but released. Again, in 1586, Bingham, the Governor, captured
Gráinne and her followers. He tied them up and stole their possessions, and even built the gallows to
hang them on. Gráinne bravely faced death, but it was not yet her time her son-in-law took her place
as hostage. Gráinne was left alive, but impoverished. Gráinne realized she had to go over Bingham's head
if she wanted to save herself and her son. She began writing to the queen in July of 1593, and her
letters reflect her political savvy. Queen Elizabeth wrote back, with a list of 18 questions no less.
Gráinne shrewdly answered them, in ways that downplayed her obvious conflicts with the English but not
her political and military power. But that was not enough for Gráinne , she sailed down to Greenwich
and announced herself at court. It is not known what was said at their meeting. They met at Greenwich
Palace in September 1593 and a few days later the Queen sent a letter to Sir Richard Bingham ordering
him to sort out "some maintenance for the rest of her life." Grace, now nearly seventy
years old, left her sons to run her fleet and defend the family lands. She died around 1603 at
Carraigahowley Castle.
