English Privateering Voyages to the West Indies 1588-95

1959

Journals G161 H2 Ser. 2 no. 111

Cambridge: Printed for the Hakluyt Society at the University Press

In the late 16th century, privateering was rife in the Caribbean. In fact, all English ventures to the West Indies between 1588 and 1595 were privateering ventures. Letters of marque or commission enabled privateers to intercept the Spanish ‘treasure fleets’ which were laden with gold and silver plundered from the South American continent. The homeward bound Spanish ships were rich pickings for the English. This Hakluyt Society map dates from around 1590 when there were at least eleven English privateers working the Caribbean.