Pirate’s Legacy
From Atlantic Roleplay Wiki
Title: PIRATE'S LEGACY
Author: DeadBob
THE TRUE LEGACY OF PIRACY
Absolute freedom forged by one's own hand remains no small accomplishment.
Four hundred years ago men and women who "went on the account" faced loss of life and limb.
Pirates were outcasts. Each lived a hellish life bound only by their code and helped only by their mates.
Their ways were villainous, their souls were forfeit and their days were shortened by violence, starvation, disease or hangman's noose.
But what they left to history we still regard with awe: Absolute freedom forged by one's own hand remains no small accomplishment.
Some pirates became respected Governors, Mayors and wealthy land owners.
They proved there really are men and women with the wit and the strength to forge their own life as they see fit, and the world be damned.
EXAMPLE:
Grace O’Malley, also known as Gráinne Mhaol or Granuaile, was a renowned Irish chieftain and seafarer who became famous as a pirate and rebel during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England.
She was born around 1530 and died around 1603.
She was the head of the Ó Máille dynasty in the west of Ireland, and the daughter of Eóghan Dubhdara Ó Máille.
Upon her father’s death, she took over leadership of the lordship by land and sea, despite having a brother.
Her marriage to Dónal an Chogaidh Ó Flaithbheartaigh brought her greater wealth and influence.
In 1593, when her sons and her half-brother were taken captive by the English governor of Connacht, Sir Richard Bingham, O’Malley sailed to England to petition for their release.
She formally presented her petition to Queen Elizabeth I at her court in Greenwich Palace.
Despite her collaboration with Elizabeth I, her actions suggest sympathy with the rebellion led by Hugh O’Neill of Tyrone during the Nine Years’ War.
She is often referred to as “The Pirate Queen” and remains a popular figure in Irish lore up through the present day. Her life story continues to inform Irish narratives, ballads, and works of art.
From the Library of the High Seas Guild
(c) 2010-2024 by G.D. Deckard