Elizabethan Privateering: English Privateering During the Spanish War, 1585 1603

Privateering was a form of legal private warfare at sea in which individuals who possessed suitable ships took the opportunity offered by a war to plunder enemy commerce. In this study of privateering during the Elizabethan war with Spain, which was originally published in 1966, Dr Andrews shows that it was closely connected with trade, in particular having a stimulating effect on oceanic commerce and that it was at the time the main form of English maritime warfare. Dr Andrews begins with an account of how privateering became legal and how it was organised. He then examines the various types of venture, describing the sort of people who took part and showing how profitable it was for some, particularly the bigger merchants and the professional seamen. Two contemporary narratives are included. Finally, Dr Andrews studies the role privateering played in overseas expansion.

This 1966 study of privateering during the Elizabethan war with Spain shows that it was closely connected with trade.

In this study of privateering during the Elizabethan war with Spain, which was originally published in 1966, Dr Andrews shows that it was closely connected with trade, in particular having a stimulating effect on oceanic commerce and that it was at the time the main form of English maritime warfare.

Preface; Sources and abbreviations; Part I. Context and Organisation: 1. Privateering and the sea war; 2. Regulation; 3. Men and materials; Part II. Ventures and Venturers: Prelude, 1602 Sir Thomas Sherley; 4. The amateurs; 5. The professionals; 6. The great merchants; 7. Prizes and profits; Tail piece, 1592 William Grafton; Part III. Privateering and overseas expansion: 8. The West Indies; 9. Western planting; 10. The Portuguese trades; 11. The consequences of privateering; Appendix; Index; Map: the West Indies about 1590.