JemmyAh, the noble profession of privateering!
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PugJesushttps://media.piefed.social/posts/tW/Fx/tWFxedrs03DE5Cg.webp
https://media.piefed.social/posts/tW/Fx/tWFxedrs03DE5Cg.webp
Explanation: During the Age of Sail, it was common for states and monarchs to offer ‘letters of marque’ to certain [ahem] enterprising individuals. By sailing with a letter of marque, one agreed to only attack and plunder ships belonging to whatever nation your patron was at war with at the moment. In exchange… you got to attack and plunder merchant ships (of certain countries) without being wanted for piracy! And you don’t even have to sign your entire life away to the Royal Navy!
All the benefits of being a pirate, none of the noose-related drawbacks! I mean, unless the enemy caught you. Or you became politically inconvenient.
@PugJesus It wouldnt be interesting if early modern tradecraft emerged in that period as well.
Plus with East India Company, they might want to go after rivals.
Now, take Sir Francis Drake; the Spanish all despise him
But to the British he’s a hero and they idolise him
It’s how you look at buccaneers that makes them bad or good
And I see us as members of a noble brotherhood!