The Lost Pirate Kingdom, Netflix

[appalachiablue]

- The real-life pirates of the Caribbean violently plunder the world's riches and form a surprisingly egalitarian republic during the Golden Age of Piracy. Set in the West Indies of the 1700s. Six- part documentary series narrated by Derek Jacobi, 2021. Features Edward Teach 'Blackbeard,' Benjamin Hornigold, Anne Bonney, more. https://decider.com/2021/03/15/the-lost-pirate-kingdom-netflix-review/



- Irish pirate Anne Bonney (1697- 1733?). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Bonny

- Nassau: The History of the Pirate Republic (2020)

Few groups are as culturally beloved as pirates. Sailors and thieves beholden to neither king, crown, nor the law, they sailed the high seas during the Golden Age of Piracy from 1690–1720, robbing and plundering any ship they came across. Their lives were short and brutal, but eternal fame and unimaginable riches awaited the bravest and boldest pirates of the age.
Much of what we’ve all come to love about pirates can be exemplified in the port city of Nassau, which today is the capital of The Bahamas on the largest island in the country, New Providence. But while the Nassau today is filled with tourists, the port city in the late 17th and early 18th centuries was built and occupied by many icons of piracy.

For our purposes, the history of Nassau begins in 1670 with the arrival of British colonists. They created a town there called Charles Town which was a base for privateers and buccaneers in the wars with Spain during this period. It would later be renamed to Nassau, after the new king of England, William of Orange (a member of the house of Nassau), but struggled under ineffective governors and constant Spanish and French incursions during the late 17th century.

Nassau, however, was simply too valuable and too strategic a possession not to make use of. It was in a natural harbour, with shallow waters unsuitable for heavy frigates and men-o-war, but it could occupy up to 500 smaller ships (the kind favoured by pirates) and was perfectly situated for raids on merchant ships passing through the area. From a pirate’s perspective, it was the ideal place to call home.

The first pirate to truly take advantage of it was Henry Avery. He sailed The Fancy into Nassau in 1696, just as the age of piracy was beginning, while on the run from the East India Company. Avery was one of the most successful pirates of all time, growing rich from pillaging ships in the Indian Ocean. He found an easy home amongst the people of Nassau, the majority of whom were privateers, buccaneers (essentially pirates in service of a monarch) and fellow sailors...

https://historyofyesterday.com/nassau-the-history-of-the-pirate-republic-185196fdb6c7

[bahboo]

1. cool, I'll check this out...

fascinated by pirates....wanna be one when I grow up...

[appalachiablue]

2. What I've seen so far is well done.

Luv pirates and the West Indies!

[padfun]

3. I watched all episodes.

I never realized how short a time period the age of pirates was. I thought it went on for a century or more but it really lasted only 10-15 years.

It's good and worth watching.

[appalachiablue]

4. I didn't realize it was so short

as well, but piracy went on elsewhere of course.

Also didn't know that a republic of Nassau was created. Cool stuff.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

5. Looks interesting. I'll add it to my list.