(Un) Known pirates and criminals of the seas
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Baldassare Cossa *1370?? - +22.12.1419. Italian pirate and the Roman Catholic Pope.

He operated in the Mediterranean Sea. He came from Naples. In order to maintain the aristocratic level of the indebted family, they resorts to piracy. Later his two brothers were caught and sentenced to death. Later he was a soldier in the army of Charles I in the struggle for the right to Naples. After the loss, he went to Bologna, where he studied law and received a doctorate. Then he entered the church and built a career. As a cardinal he was chosen by Pope Boniface IX. for managing of church indulgence. In May 1408, he joined the rebellious cardinals who summoned the Assembly in Pisa. They dethroned the two ruling popes and elected Alexander V. Thus, on the throne of 1409, they were three popes! Alexander V. died shortly afterwards. He was murdered by Baldassar Cossa. On 25th May 1410, Baldassaro Cossa was ordained to Pope John XXIII. (today as Jan XXII.). With his longtime friend Giovanni di Bici di Medici, they manipulated the money at the Roman Bank (they stole it). The Medici family was also a "shadow" during the election of new popes and bishops. The Pope also sanctified the Medici family for their claim to Florence, where they ruled for the next thirty years. Pope John XXIII. was also unpopular at Master Jan Hus for his purchase of church indulgences, etc. It is this pope who sentenced Master Jan Hus to burn of death. In 1414 John XXIII. falsely agreed with the conditions of his abdication before the Council, but then he turned and run away. The council deposed and accused him of heresy, hatred, sodomy, tyranny, incest, piracy, schism, immorality, theft, and murder. They found him guilty at all points and condemned him without his presence. In May 1415 the Council confirmed the deposition, the charge, and the judgment. Later, he was captured and imprisoned in Germany. Giovanni di Bici di Medici bought him from a prison and he resorted to Florence. He died there 22.12.1419.

Peter Carder *1565?? - +1626?? English sailor and pirate.

He was a member of Francis Drake's crew since 1575 and participated in all of his ways in the Caribbean. Together, they plundered many Spanish ships, towns and settlements.

He was on the Vice-Admiral Francis Drake´s ship GOLDEN HIND (PELICAN) on the way around the world. They started in December 1577. At the end of July 1578, the expedition invaded the Channel of Magalhães.

In August 1578 Peter Carder and seven other sailors were in a small rowing boat at the Atlantic near the Magalhães Channel. These were Peter Carder, Leonard Vicary, the brother of executed John Doughty (see Thomas Doughty), William Pitcher and four unidentified sailors. They were three officers, four sailors, and one trumpeter. They were waiting for several days at sea for their rescue. After a long wait they went to the north along the coastline. On the way, they were killed by two Indians when they wanted to get food and water, four men drowned in a storm, Peter Carder and William Pitcher found themselves on a small island without drinking water. After a few days they swam to the coast using a tree. At the first creek they both drank and William Pitcher died of excessive drinking. Peter Carder walked further north. Later, the Indians found him unconscious they took him to their village and healed him. He lived here for about half a year. Then he continued north until he arrived in the Bahia de Todos Santos, Brazil, where he was arrested as a Portuguese enemy. The Governor acknowledged that this case was extraordinary and sent a question to the King asking him what to do with him. However, they allowed free movement to Carders around the town to be able to live himself the way he can. Carder had made friends with the local De Pava businessman for whom he worked. After years, there was the answer from King to move Carder to Portugal. De Pava, however, offered him a boat with four fishermen to flee to England. Carder sailed north to Recife. There they were arrested, the fishermen released, and Carder run away. After some time, he found several English merchants on the Portuguese ship who offered him a transfer to Europe. He arrived in England in November 1586, almost nine years after leaving Drake. Later the Queen Elizabeth I invited him and rewarded him by twenty-two angels, which corresponds to eleven pounds a day.

This distressing journey varies in time, space, and content differs according to different historical versions. Historians believe that this journey has never been done. They call Peter Carder "a storyteller". They emphasizes that the whole story is fictional. In most cases, they point at the absence of a record of the loss of a rowing boat and eight seamen in the logbook of Francis Drake. On the other hand, it is possible that the logbook was written by the ship chaplain Francis Fletcher. But he was a friend of executed Thomas Doughty, so he was in disgrace at Francis Drake. Therefore the logbook could be written with no knowledge of the real situation.

It is also possible that the eight seamen were apparently the followers of executed Thomas Doughty. And so Drake could sit them in the rowing boat and sent them to open sea as a punishment, which was usual in those times. Or Drake could send them to explore coast and run away with the fleet. In these cases, Drake would not probably mention it in the logbook.

Gregory Cary *1545?? - +1600?? English pirate.

He was a member of Francis Drake's crew since 1560 and he participated in all of his robberies in the Caribbean. Together, they pillaged many Spanish ships, towns and villages.

He was also on the GOLDEN HIND (PELICAN) ship of Vice-Admiral Francis Drake on a journey around the world in 1577-80.

In 1588, he participated on the successful defending of the Spanish Felicissima Armada (Invincible Armada, Grand Armada). See don Alonso Pérez de Guzmán y de Zúñiga-Sotomayor, en el Palacio de Medina-Sidonia.

In 1589 he took part in the English Armada (Contra Armada, Invencible Inglesa) to Spain and Portugal under the command of the Admiral Francis Drake. The invasion finished as a complete catastrophe. See Maria Mayor Fernández de Cámara y Pita.

John Chester *1540?? - +??.8.1578. English captain and pirate.

He was a member of the Francis Drake's crew since 1560 and participated in all of his robberies in the Caribbean. Together, they pillaged many Spanish ships, towns and villages.

He was the captain of the SWAN ship in the flotilla of Vice-Admiral Francis Drake on his way around the world. They started in December 1577. He fell to the bottom with ship while they were sailing the Magalhães Strait in August 1578.

John Cooke *1545?? - +1600?? English pirate.

He was a member of the Francis Drake's crew since 1560 and participated in all his robberies in the Caribbean. Together, they pillaged many Spanish ships, towns and villages.

He was also on the GOLDEN HIND (PELICAN) ship of Vice-Admiral Francis Drake on a journey around the world in 1577-80.

In 1588, he participated on the successful defending of the Spanish Felicissima Armada (Invincible Armada, Grand Armada). See sir John Hawkins.

In 1589 he took part in the English Armada (Contra Armada, Invencible Inglesa) to Spain and Portugal under the command of the Admiral Francis Drake. The invasion finished as a complete catastrophe. See don Martín de Bertendona y Goronda.

John Crosse *1575?? - +1595. English sailor and pirate.

Robert Crosse´s brother.

He became a member of the Francis Drake's crew in 1591 and participated in all his robberies in the Caribbean. Together, they pillaged many Spanish ships, towns and villages.

In 1595 he sailed to the last journey of Francis Drake in the Caribbean. John was killed during the attack of Spanish ships. See Gonzalo Méndez de Canço y Donlebún.

Robert Crosse *1570?? - +1595. English captain and pirate.

Robert Crosse´s brother.

Since 1585 operated in the Atlantic and Caribbean on his HOPE ship.

In 1587 he joined the Francis Drake fleet.

In 1588, he participated on the successful defending of the Spanish Felicissima Armada (Invincible Armada, Grand Armada). See lord Charles Howard, 1.hrabě z Nottinghamu (Howard Effingham).

In 1589 he took part in the English Armada (Contra Armada, Invencible Inglesa) to Spain and Portugal under the command of the Admiral Francis Drake. The invasion finished as a complete catastrophe. See Maria Mayor Fernández de Cámara y Pita.

He was killed during the last unsuccessful the Francis Drake expedition to the Caribbean in 1595. See Gonzalo Méndez de Canço y Donlebún.

Thomas Cuttle *1545?? - +1600??. English officer, shipmaster and pirate.

He was a member of the Francis Drake's crew since 1560 and participated in all his robberies in the Caribbean. Together, they pillaged many Spanish ships, towns and villages.

He was also on the GOLDEN HIND (PELICAN) ship of Vice-Admiral Francis Drake on a journey around the world in 1577-80.

In 1588, he participated on the successful defending of the Spanish Felicissima Armada (Invincible Armada, Grand Armada). See Juan Martínez de Recalde.

In 1589 he took part in the English Armada (Contra Armada, Invencible Inglesa) to Spain and Portugal under the command of the Admiral Francis Drake. The invasion finished as a complete catastrophe. See don Martín de Bertendona y Goronda.

Edward Coates *?? - +1694?? American captain and pirate.

He acted in the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean. In 1689, he was a member of crew of the SAINTE ROSE ship, which was captured by the rebels under the command of William Kidd and later renamed to the BLESSED WILLIAM ship. On the island of Antigua, in February 1690, together with Samuel Burgess they joined Robert Culliford and stole this ship from William Kidd. The ship was renamed to JACOB, and William Captain was chosen as captain. In 1691, they stopped in New York at the Governor to offer him bribery and to be forgiven of piracy and to receive the Corsair's right to attack the French ships from Quebec. With the vision of easy prey they attacked English boats as well. They also captured the NASSAU ship with sixteen guns and Coates was elected as a captain. At the end of 1692, Coates murdered Captain Mason at a stock-stop on an uninhabited island somewhere in the Indian Ocean and took command over both ships. After return to New York in April 1693 he offered bribes to Governor Fletcher and his officers, including presents to Fletcher's wife, to be forgiven of piracy. Then he then sailed to the Indian Ocean and pillaged ships of all colors/flags. In 1694 he was killed during attack to French ships.

Dennis Carter *1670?? - +1710?? The English pirate operated in the Caribbean.

He was a member of the captain Daniel Plowman crew of the corsair ship CHARLES.

CHARLES sailed from Boston in July 1703 to a corsair expedition against the French and Spanish ships. Shortly after the departure, the captain Daniel Plowman became ill and because of his quarantine he stayed in his cabin. The crew, led by quartermaster Anthony Holding, however, rebelled and chose Lieutenant John Quelch as her captain. At the end of September, Captain Daniel Plowman died of fever.

Later, on the shores of Brazil, they pillaged nine Portuguese ships and they received valuable cargo of weapons, skins, sugar, cloths, boxes of gold dust and money. At that time, however, an alliance was made between Portugal and England. Therefore, the English Admiralty, following a report from Portugal about the looting of their ships, issued an arrest warrant for the whole crew. In May 1704, the CHARLES ship landed in Marblehead today in the state of Massachusetts where unsuspecting crew broke away with their share of prey. Within a week, most of the crew, including Dennis Carter, were caught and imprisoned.

At the beginning of June, he was brought to Boston for trial. On the basis of testimony of crew members, Dennis Carter was found guilty and sentenced to several years in prison.

John Carter *1670?? - +1710?? The English pirate operated in the Caribbean.

He was a member of the captain Daniel Plowman crew of the corsair ship CHARLES.

CHARLES sailed from Boston in July 1703 to a corsair expedition against the French and Spanish ships. Shortly after the departure, the captain Daniel Plowman became ill and because of his quarantine he stayed in his cabin. The crew, led by quartermaster Anthony Holding, however, rebelled and chose Lieutenant John Quelch as her captain. At the end of September, Captain Daniel Plowman died of fever.

Later, on the shores of Brazil, they pillaged nine Portuguese ships and they received valuable cargo of weapons, skins, sugar, cloths, boxes of gold dust and money. At that time, however, an alliance was made between Portugal and England. Therefore, the English Admiralty, following a report from Portugal about the looting of their ships, issued an arrest warrant for the whole crew. In May 1704, the CHARLES ship landed in Marblehead today in the state of Massachusetts where unsuspecting crew broke away with their share of prey. Within a week, most of the crew, including John Carter were caught and imprisoned.

At the beginning of June, he was brought to Boston for trial. On the basis of testimony of crew members, John Carter was found guilty and sentenced to several years in prison.

Daniel Chevalle *1660?? - +30.7.1704. An English officer and a pirate, he acted in the Caribbean.

He was a member of the captain Daniel Plowman crew of the corsair ship CHARLES.

CHARLES sailed from Boston in July 1703 to a corsair expedition against the French and Spanish ships. Shortly after the departure, the captain Daniel Plowman became ill and because of his quarantine he stayed in his cabin. The crew, led by quartermaster Anthony Holding, however, rebelled and chose Lieutenant John Quelch as her captain. At the end of September, Captain Daniel Plowman died of fever.

Later, on the shores of Brazil, they pillaged nine Portuguese ships and they received valuable cargo of weapons, skins, sugar, cloths, boxes of gold dust and money. At that time, however, an alliance was made between Portugal and England. Therefore, the English Admiralty, following a report from Portugal about the looting of their ships, issued an arrest warrant for the whole crew. In May 1704, the CHARLES ship landed in Marblehead today in the state of Massachusetts where unsuspecting crew broke away with their share of prey. Within a week, most of the crew, including Daniel Chevalle were caught and imprisoned.

At the beginning of June, he was brought to Boston for trial. On the basis of testimony of crew members, Daniel Chevalle was found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging. The execution was made on Friday 30th June 1704. The execution was secured  by the Musketeers Regiment. There were also several Admiralty officials, court officers, two ministers, and several monks.

This was the first example of an execution by law in America.

Daniel Chuley *1670?? - +1710?? The English pirate acted in the Caribbean.

He was a member of the captain Daniel Plowman crew of the corsair ship CHARLES.

CHARLES sailed from Boston in July 1703 to a corsair expedition against the French and Spanish ships. Shortly after the departure, the captain Daniel Plowman became ill and because of his quarantine he stayed in his cabin. The crew, led by quartermaster Anthony Holding, however, rebelled and chose Lieutenant John Quelch as her captain. At the end of September, Captain Daniel Plowman died of fever.

Later, on the shores of Brazil, they pillaged nine Portuguese ships and they received valuable cargo of weapons, skins, sugar, cloths, boxes of gold dust and money. At that time, however, an alliance was made between Portugal and England. Therefore, the English Admiralty, following a report from Portugal about the looting of their ships, issued an arrest warrant for the whole crew. In May 1704, the CHARLES ship landed in Marblehead today in the state of Massachusetts where unsuspecting crew broke away with their share of prey. Within a week, most of the crew, including Daniela Chuley were caught and imprisoned.

At the beginning of June, he was brought to Boston for trial. On the basis of testimony of crew members, Daniel Chuley was found guilty and sentenced to several years in prison.

John Clifford *1670?? - +1730?? The English pirate operated in the Caribbean.

He was a member of the captain Daniel Plowman crew of the corsair ship CHARLES.

CHARLES sailed from Boston in July 1703 to a corsair expedition against the French and Spanish ships. Shortly after the departure, the captain Daniel Plowman became ill and because of his quarantine he stayed in his cabin. The crew, led by quartermaster Anthony Holding, however, rebelled and chose Lieutenant John Quelch as her captain. At the end of September, Captain Daniel Plowman died of fever.

Later, on the shores of Brazil, they pillaged nine Portuguese ships and they received valuable cargo of weapons, skins, sugar, cloths, boxes of gold dust and money. At that time, however, an alliance was made between Portugal and England. Therefore, the English Admiralty, following a report from Portugal about the looting of their ships, issued an arrest warrant for the whole crew. In May 1704, the CHARLES ship landed in Marblehead today in the state of Massachusetts where unsuspecting crew broke away with their share of prey. Within a week, most of the crew, including John Clifford were caught and imprisoned.

At the beginning of June, he was brought to Boston for trial. On the basis of testimony of crew members, John Clifford was found innocent and released.

Robert Culliford *1666 - +1710?? An English pirate, he acted in the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean.

His career began in 1689 on the corsair ship SAINTE ROSE, where he became friends with William Kidd. Part of the crew rebelled under the command of William Kidd and took down the captain. In Nevis, the SAINTE ROSE ship was repaired and renamed to the BLESSED WILLIAM ship. William Kidd was elected as a captain by the crew. After a year in February 1690, this ship was stolen by Robert Culliford and his men on the island of Antigua and it was renamed as the JACOB ship. The crew chose William Mason as a captain. In 1691, they stopped in New York to give bribery and be forgiven for piracy and receive Corsican law. Here one crewman Samuel Burgess left the ship. After sailing, they attacked ships and pillaged towns. They also captured the French frigate LA ESPERANCE, and Captain Mason decided that the captain of this frigate would be Culliford. Robert renamed this ship to the HORNE ship.

Because they were not lucky in the Caribbean, they sailed to the Indian Ocean in 1692, where they pillaged the town of Mangrol. Then they were captured and imprisoned for four years in Gujarati. In the spring of 1696, Culliford and most of his men managed to escape. They went to Bombay, where they were recruited to the JOSIAH ship of the English East-Indian Company, and they stole this ship in Madras. They sailed to the Bay of Bengal, where the storm reached them. At the Nicobar Island, the MOCHA ship of Captain Ralph Stout rescued them. He was killed in the naval battle in 1697, and the crew then elected Robert Culliford as the new captain. They unsuccessfully attacked the English ship DORILL and escaped from the battle to the island of St. Mary, east of Madagascar. Here they built a base from where they made expeditions and pillaged ships sailing from and to India. On April 1st, 1698, at Madagascar they met the ADVENTURE GALLEY ship of William Kidd. Part of Kidd's men went to the MOCHA frigate as a new crew.

Later, in September 1698 Robert Culliford joined the Dutch captain Chivers Dirk. They planned to attack the Muslim pilgrimage ship FATEH MUHAMMED in the Red Sea. She brought to Mecca hundreds of thousands of pounds, today's ten million crowns. They succeeded, and later four English warships surprised them on their return to the island of St. Mary. After a short fight, they were captured and taken to court. The court was held in 1700 and, for lack of evidence, Culliford was sentenced to only two years in prison. In 1701 he testified at court with another pirate Samuel Burgess. In 1702 Robert Culliford was released.

Texts: P. Patočka, P. Steinhardt, H. Prien
Proofreading: Ali
Translation: S. Harasimová
Graphic design: M. Gorejová
Updated: September 24, 2020
Sources: see ZDROJE