From anti-slavery heroes to evil murderers, from 'the Victual Brothers'
to Somali raiders today, a 1000-year roll call of the pirates. It is no
use pretending that these criminals do not evoke admiration - even envy.
Part of the appeal is the democratic nature of their activities,
characterised as far back as the 14th century by Klaus Stortebeker
thieving in the Baltic - his crew were called the Likedeelers, the equal
sharers. Author Terry Breverton has brought together the extraordinary
stories of 144 pirates throughout history. They include Norman
privateers, Barbary Corsairs, Elizabethan adventurers, Chinese pirates,
'the Brethren of the Coast' - and of course the pirates of the
Caribbean. There are some surprises. Who, for example were the
Dunkirkers? They were Spanish privateers based at Dunkirk, then held by
the Spanish Habsburgs, who plagued the Dutch for more than eighty years.
In 1587 the United Provinces of Holland declared the Dunkirk privateers
to be pirates (there is a difference) making their naval captains swear
an oath to throw all Dunkirker prisoners into the North Sea. The
practice was known as voetenspoelen, 'washing the feet', and in winter
would be a quick death. Beginning with the 9th-century 'Shield Maiden'
pirate Alfhild and ending with Mohamed Abdi Hassan - 'Afweyne' (Big
Mouth) - who ransomed supertankers for tens of millions of dollars, A
Gross of Pirates is an exciting journey under full sail across a
millennium of blood and treasure.
