Privateering in St Augustine Florida

[THE wench]

Hello to all from THE wench here in St Augustine,

There have been many questions of legitimacy regarding the visitation of Privateers on the shores of St Augustine since it was first founded and settled in 1565 by Don Pedro Menendez. Two of the largest and most popular re-enactments celebrate (?) The raids of Sir Francis Drake 1586 and Robert Searles 1668. (Privateers or Pirates?)

Privateering is a license granted usually under provisions of war and aimed at the current enemy or enemies, this license expires however if the parties concerned reach an agreement (or kill each other on battlefield ) the privateers therefore become unemployed, often unknowingly, and thus while continuing assumed employment transverse into the grounds so termed as "Pirate". The Spanish Main was a temptation for any unemployed privateer and the draw to transverse waters south of home ports. However many of the lessor famous pirates never saw one of these splendid over-burdened galleons and instead preyed on simple traders and the occasional fishing boat.

While the first settlement of St Augustine (1565) was primitive yet loaded with Military might, it was also assisted by the Native Americans (Timucuin). The Colony was dependent on the supplies of a very distant Mother Land and her equally distant colonies in the West Indies and would have starved if the visiting "purloiners of excess baggage" hadn't arrived to trade valuable but inedible goods for edible ones so desperately needed by this struggling colony.

St Augustine is home to one of the best re-enacting communities in North America she has a rare era span from the first Spanish Period (1565-1763) to the English settlement of (1763-1784) second Spanish period (1784-1821) then the US territory 1821 to the present. This affords many opportunities for Living History portrayals. The Fort, (built after the brutal raid by Robert Searles 1668) to defend the Spanish route home ) Castillo De San Marcos is home to one of this nations leading Cannon schools and is consistently maintained by fully attired living history interpreters. Events that define the 444 years of this cities history are portrayed annually by groups of equally dedicated living History persons.

Privateers are the new-comers to this and they defend their place enthusiastically despite criticism and uninformed questions of legitimacy.

Enter the 2nd annual Pirate Gathering (November 13th-15th) where the historical quarter of Downtown St Augustine is filled with Pirates and Privateers. Historical Demonstrations of Naval "Arts" and life are prevalent in the Quarter itself while fun and frivolities abound in the nearby Francis Field. While some of the re-enactors will cross over to this era some are stridently against it and we are looking for more demonstrators and historical persons to help us tell our story.

Please view our web site www.pirategathering.com and note that we are a charity group raising money for maritime scholarships and we have an accredited School Day on the Friday. Please contact us if you are able to join us.

I should add a postscript here that as the colony of St Augustine grew, dependence lessened as the beef ( jerky or salted) and fruits (dried and preserved and vegetables (often the "three sisters" introduced by the Natives corn, squash and beans) became trading goods to those who stopped by in search of fresh water and edible supplies for the burgeoning crews they carried....Privateers and Pirates traded back things like silks, linens, household and religious goods and some silver....Full Circle eh?......

[Joe Pyrat]

Piracy and Saint Augustine represent an interesting question. There are those here who are very anti-pirate pointing out that Saint Augustine was a Spanish military town, a Presidio. On the otherhand it is true that illegal trade flourished and there were at best contrabandistas (smugglers) in Saint Augustine. Many of these contrabandistas were most lilely pirates, however, they were not running up and down St. George St. waving cutlasses and flying the Jolly Roger, business was conducted discretely. The unfortunate side effect of this is that the official line here in Saint Augustine is that we don't deal with the subject of piracy at all other than to say it is one of the reasons for the Spanish military presence. This is unfortunate since it means there is little chance we will be able to get a program off the ground that would discuss and depict piracy as it really impacted the area. Hopefully you can bring some of this to your Gathering and in some small way help turn this around.

[THE wench]

Hi there Joe Pyrate,

We have succeeded at least partially,...they have allowed us this year the run of downtown..Yeh there will be some running about playing..however I think from the personal responses we will have a good showing to teach for the Friday as well...Come on down if you can...Go0od Bands....Rusty Cutlass is one and good food for the Buckaneer bash Saturday night...

Thankyou for your thoughtful insight

THE wench

[LadyBarbossa]

Well.. a hearty welcome to ye, err, um.. Hehehe, Wench! Now how often do we actually gets away with sayin' this word to a woman of any class? Hmm?

Glad t' have ye here on th' Pub, m'dear. Do enjoy yo'rself. Beware th' devilish Gents.

Either way, debated or not 'bout th' ligitimacy of Piracy connections to St Augustine... we still embrace it. So... tells us YO'R stories, lass. We'd fancy hearin' them.

Providin' ye be providin' th' drinks. Tequila Rose, please.

~Lady B

[Rumba Rue]

Aye another fine woman to add to the list!

Welcome to the Pub!