In the 16th century, Queen Elizabeth I granted letters of marque to her pirates, calling them "corsairs" because they shared their treasure with her in exchange for immunity and protection. She also granted them knighthoods. These were Sir Francis Drake, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Sir Thomas Cavendish. They raided Spanish ships laden with gold and silver from the New World, plundered Spanish colonies, burned ships and ports, and kidnapped and raped their wives; nevertheless, the English aristocracy welcomed them as heroes of England.