The Pirate History Podcast

William Kidd found himself in London, more and more under the sway of two influential men, who were maneuvering him into a less than ideal commission. Again and again they altered the deal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

William Kidd spent the summer of 1695 kicking his heels in London, waiting for word about his application for a Captaincy in the Royal Navy. In August he met with two old friends that led him to an inner circle of influential Londoners who planned to use Kidd for their own ends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've been following Henry Every in the Indian Ocean for some time now. While we were away a lot has been happening in the world at large. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The shock wave from the capture of Ganj-i-Sawai was immediate and emanated from the port city of Surat. The pirates had to move fast to sell their cargo and get away from the authorities that were after them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After their successful capture of Ganj-i-Sawai, the pirates embarked on a night of barbarity that saw men tortured and killed in cold blood and nearly every woman on board raped. These actions would have consequences that changed the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The real story of what happened on September 5, 1695 is a lot bloodier, and darker, than those old histories would have us believe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Henry Every and the pirates sail out to engage in the greatest pirate raid yet seen in history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The pirate armada under Henry Every chased the Mughal Fleet toward the coast of India. And they caught up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From the beginning of June to mid August 1695, the the fleet of Henry Every and Thomas Tew waited for the arrival of the Mughal Treasure Fleet. It was a tense 10 weeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A fleet of pirates was gathering at the gate of tears, but on the way Thomas Tew had a few misadventures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Henry Every and Fancy were roaming the waters surrounding Madagascar and South Africa in summer 1695. They were searching for other pirates to join the fleet, but they found something much worse. Those other pirates were coming though. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In London, issues surrounding James Houblon, the sailors of The Spanish Expedition and their wives, and even William Dampier were coming to a head. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Henry Every, and the crew of Fancy, make their way down the coast of Africa. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every Muslim is expected to make a pilgrimage to Mecca once in their life. For the Grand Mughal of India that was a very important tradition. And Aurangzeb was not the kind of man to take it lightly when a pilgrimage was interrupted by a host of pirates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we talk about European alcohol in the Middle Ages, and the rise of spirits. Finally, we talk about an act passed by William & Mary that would change the world of the pirates forever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Second only to their ships, pirates are associated with nothing as strongly as alcohol. Rum, in particular, but ale and wine almost as much. Today we begin our look at the history of alcohol. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Admiral John Benbow was an English national hero. His exploits and victories were legendary. Today we discuss his story as it intersects with John Narborough, Francis Wheeler, and even Henry Every. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thomas Tew was recruiting a fleet to sail for Madagascar, but his companions first had to collect privateer commissions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The summer of 1694, immediately following the mutiny aboard Charles II, saw several dozen Privateering commissions handed to ships' captains from Colonial New England. Today we discuss the governors who did so, and two of the Captains who received them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In his first act of piracy Henry Every strove to prove that while he might be a bad guy, he wasn't such a bad guy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the 8th of May, 1694, Henry Every called the crew of Charles II to a council before the mast. They discussed the voyage, the captain, and the name of their ship. Nine months later, after a stop at the Cape Verde, the Fancy stopped at Cape Town where Henry Every wrote the world a letter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A few weeks after Henry Every captured the Charles II, a ballad began to filter into the world detailing the life and crimes of the new Captain. Reportedly, they were written by Every himself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Henry Every took command of the Charles II but before the crew could depart they had to deal with those who would not turn pirate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 7th, 1694. Henry Every & a cabal of sailors hatch their plot to steal the Charles II. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The sailors of The Spanish Expedition set sail from London in August 1693. By January 1694 they made it all the way to the coast of Spain. The voyage wasn't going well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices