The Pirate History Podcast
Matt Albers
A podcast about the Golden Age of Piracy in the Caribbean, the real men and women that threatened the trade and stability of the Old World empires, the forces that led them to piracy and the myths and stories they inspired. Famous names like Captain Henry Morgan, Henry Avery, Charles Vane, Mary Reed, Anne Bonny, Black Bart Roberts, Ned Low, and Edward 'Blackbeard' Teach will rub elbows with Queens, Kings, Popes, rebellious monks, Caribbean Natives, African Slaves and notorious governors like Woodes Rogers. History, high seas adventure, myth and magic, voodoo, treachery, biography and freedom await.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 18, 2018 • 41min
Episode 65 - Knavery
1685 saw the last great, and ultimately failed, piratical raid of the buccaneer era. A multinational armada of pirates sailed for Panama bay to capture the Spanish Treasure Fleet and were defeated. The aftermath saw the fleet disperse along national allegiances. Today we look at the national loyalties that drove this division and how they were beginning to crumble. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 10, 2018 • 55min
Episode 64 - People of Desperate Fortunes
Our small fleet of English pirates was at an impasse, when several pieces of good fortune fell into their laps. First, a treasure trove of letters carrying news of a prize worthy of a king, and then the men needed to capture it. We introduce them and tell their stories, and then follow the pirates to battle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 31, 2018 • 46min
Episode 63 - Nostos & Kleos
What is it that drives people to piracy? Is it a lust for gold? A need to support themselves, and perhaps build a life? Or is there something more? Something that drives them to seek out notoriety and infamy? A desire to be remembered? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 28, 2018 • 1h 1min
Episode 62 - Not Quite a Haven
What would it be like to spend three years in complete solitude, fighting for survival? Would it be better or worse if your only human contact came from other people trying to kill you? Today we discuss one man in that situation, and his rescue. Then we follow the pirates from the South Pacific to the Galapagos and beyond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 24, 2018 • 60min
Episode 61 - More Willful & Less Under Command
In 1682, in the aftermath of the English Pacific Adventure, three crews prepared their ships for a new voyage to the Pacific. Charles Swan, John Eaton and Basil Ringrose arrived first, but they would soon be followed by John Cooke, Edward Davis, Lionel Wafer, & William Dampier. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 9, 2018 • 1h 14min
Episode 60 - By the Will of God
We weave between the lines of truth and fiction. We explore ideas about prejudice, historiography, and social norms. Today we tell the story of the final days of Laurens de Graaf and Anne Dieu-le-Veut. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 27, 2018 • 52min
Episode 59 - The Tragedy of la Limonade
Today the war comes home to Cap‑Français. What was left of the French buccaneers on Saint-Domingue face off against a well armed, well organized Spanish Army. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 22, 2018 • 54min
Episode 58 - Fall of Titans
War arrives in the West Indies. Jan Willems, Anne, & Laurens de Graaf are each impacted in their own way. We discuss revenge, honor, and the end of a legend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 15, 2018 • 47min
Episode 57 - A Parcel of Thieves
Laurens de Graaf sought revenge after the attack on his plantation. He hunted two Spanish privateers in particular - Juan Corso and Blas Miguel. He would find them, but Spain was sending reinforcements to deal with the pirate menace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 7, 2018 • 59min
Episode 56 - Armageddon
In 1685 & 1686, in the West Indies, the English were hunting pirates and arresting any Englishmen that sailed under a foreign flag. The French were arresting pirates while reigning in their privateers. The Spanish had called an Inquisition to deal with the corsairs and were building mercenary privateer navies to attack the pirates where they lived. These were the opening moves of a war that would engulf the world, and the first shots were fired against the Buccaneers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
