In 1492 Europeans discovered America and after that date the Spanish often sailed there. The lands that they visited were known as the Spanish main. From these lands they took treasures from the Aztecs, in a land now known as Mexico. They strapped up their vessels and set sail to Spain. Often they would be attacked on their home back by Pirates.

The Queen favourite was Sir Francis Drake. He worked as an explorer and also a privateer.Drake made it his lifetime quest to steal from the Spanish on the high seas, most particularly when England ans Spain were at war in the 1500s. As payment for his efforts he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth.

Three famous Spanish galleons were strapped up with treasure from the Spanish main. These were dutifully attacked by Captain Jean Fleury, who captured two and let one escape. A suprising characteristic of Spanish ships was they rose high in the sea therefore making it easier to unload.

In the Caribbean there were many ships with pirates on board looking to rob the Spanish of their treasure. Pirates who made the island of Hispaniola their home, were known as buccaneers. The name buccaneer is from the Spanish for fire on which their meat was cooked. These Buccaneers started their trade of attacking Spanish vessels in the early 1600′s

Perhaps the most famous was Henry Morgan, who raided ports and towns of Spain in the 1660′s and as a result, became very rich. The King of England went on to appoint him Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica.

As we know, these colourful characters of the past gave us traditions and stories which we still celebrate today. The well known and loved pirate costume has adapted with changing fashions into a favorite theme, and movie theaters regularly show the exploits of these old sailors, glamorized in a way to make them heros.