Queen's Pirates

Piracy on the seas of the world.
 In the 16th century, Queen Elizabeth I granted letters of marque to her pirates, calling them "privateers," as they shared their treasures with her in exchange for immunity and protection. She also bestowed knighthoods upon them. These included Sir Francis Drake, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Sir Thomas Cavendish. They attacked Spanish ships laden with gold and silver from the New World, plundered Spanish colonies, burned ships and ports, and kidnapped and raped Spanish women; yet, the English aristocracy welcomed them as heroes of England.