Port Royal
Port Royal pre 1692
The town was captured by England in 1655 during the invasion of Jamaica. By 1659 two hundred houses, shops and warehouses surrounded the fort; by 1692 five forts defended the port.
The English initially called the place Cagway but quickly replaced this with the name that survives to this day: Port Royal.
For much of the period between the English conquest and the 1692 earthquake.
Port Royal served as the capital of Jamaica. After the earthquake, Spanish Town took over this role.
In 1872 Kingston, the larger city, was designated as the capital.
The English initially called the place Cagway but quickly replaced this with the name that survives to this day: Port Royal.
For much of the period between the English conquest and the 1692 earthquake.
Port Royal served as the capital of Jamaica. After the earthquake, Spanish Town took over this role.
In 1872 Kingston, the larger city, was designated as the capital.
- Port Royal was once home to privateers employed to nip at superpower Habsburg Spain's empire when smaller European
- powers dared not directly make war on Spain. As a port city, it was notorious for its gaudy displays of wealth and loose morals. It was a popular home port for the English and Dutch sponsored privateers to spend their treasure during the 17th century. When those governments abandoned the practice of issuing letters of marque to privateers against the Spanish treasure fleets and possessions in the later 16th century, many of the crews turned pirate and used the city as their main base during the 17th century. Pirates from around the world congregated at Port Royal, coming from waters as far away as Madagascar.
- After the 1692 disaster, Port Royal's commercial role was steadily taken over by the town (and later, city) of Kingston. Current plans for Port Royal will redevelop the small fishing town into a tourist destination serviced by cruise ships. It is going to capitalize on its heritage, with archaeological findings at the heart of the attractions.
Port Royal provided a safe harbour initially for privateers and subsequently for pirates plying the shipping lanes to and from Spain and Panama. Buccaneers found Port Royal appealing for several reasons. Its proximity to trade routes allowed them easy access to prey, but the most important advantage was the port's proximity to several of the only safe passages or straits giving access to the Spanish Main from the Atlantic. The harbour was large enough to accommodate their ships and provided a place to careen and repair these vessels. It was also ideally situated for launching raids on Spanish settlements. From Port Royal, Henry Morgan attacked Panama, Portobello, and Maracaibo. Roche Brasiliano, John Davis (buccaneer), and Edward Mansveldt (Mansfield) also came to Port Royal.
An 18th-century pirate flag (Calico Jack Rackham). Since the English lacked sufficient troops to prevent either the Spanish or French from seizing it, the Jamaican governors eventually turned to the pirates to defend the city.
By the 1660s, the city had gained a reputation as the Sodom of the New World where most residents were pirates, cutthroats, or prostitutes. When Charles Leslie wrote his history of Jamaica, he included a description of the pirates of Port Royal:
Wine and women drained their wealth to such a degree that... some of them became reduced to beggary. They have been known to spend 2 or 3,000 pieces of eight in one night; and one gave a strumpet 500 to see her naked. They used to buy a pipe of wine, place it in the street, and oblige everyone that passed to drink. The taverns of Port Royal were known for their excessive consumption of alcohol such that records even exist of the wild animals of the area partaking in the debauchery. During a passing visit, famous Dutch explorer Jan van Riebeeck is said to have described the scenes:
The parrots of Port Royal gather to drink from the large stocks of ale with just as much alacrity as the drunks that frequent the taverns that serve it.
An 18th-century pirate flag (Calico Jack Rackham). Since the English lacked sufficient troops to prevent either the Spanish or French from seizing it, the Jamaican governors eventually turned to the pirates to defend the city.
By the 1660s, the city had gained a reputation as the Sodom of the New World where most residents were pirates, cutthroats, or prostitutes. When Charles Leslie wrote his history of Jamaica, he included a description of the pirates of Port Royal:
Wine and women drained their wealth to such a degree that... some of them became reduced to beggary. They have been known to spend 2 or 3,000 pieces of eight in one night; and one gave a strumpet 500 to see her naked. They used to buy a pipe of wine, place it in the street, and oblige everyone that passed to drink. The taverns of Port Royal were known for their excessive consumption of alcohol such that records even exist of the wild animals of the area partaking in the debauchery. During a passing visit, famous Dutch explorer Jan van Riebeeck is said to have described the scenes:
The parrots of Port Royal gather to drink from the large stocks of ale with just as much alacrity as the drunks that frequent the taverns that serve it.
Henry Morgan
Following Henry Morgan’s appointment as lieutenant governor, Port Royal began to change. Pirates were no longer needed to defend the city. The selling of slaves took on greater importance. Upstanding citizens disliked the reputation the city had acquired. In 1687, Jamaica passed anti-piracy laws. Instead of being a safe haven for pirates, Port Royal became noted as their place of execution. Gallows Point welcomed many to their death, including Charles Vane and Calico Jack, who were hanged in 1720. Two years later, forty-one pirates met their death in one month.
Although a work of historical fiction, James Michener's The Caribbean details the history, atmosphere and geography of Port Royal accurately
Although a work of historical fiction, James Michener's The Caribbean details the history, atmosphere and geography of Port Royal accurately
Captain Morgan
Captain Morgan on Jamaican Rum
What must first be made clear is that Henry Morgan was not a pirate. A rogue maybe, but not a pirate. He was a privateer. This meant he held a paper issued by a representative of the English government, the governor of Jamaica, empowering him to fight the Spaniards on England's behalf. His pay was in effect what he managed to steal from Spain.
Today this might seem a dastardly way for any government to conduct itself, but in the world of the 17th century these were accepted means of conducting naval war among European powers. Hence Henry Morgan was not an outlaw pirate but a sea-raider authorised by an English Letter of Marque.
Much about the legendary Sir Henry Morgan has become blurred by myth. Not even upon his birthplace can the historians decide. He was either born in 1635 in either Penkarne in Monmouth, England or Llanrhymny in Glamorgan, Wales. Though it is believed he spent his childhood in Wales and he and his family were indeed Welsh. As such his family appeared well versed in the art of warfare. Two of his uncles, Edward Morgan and Thomas Morgan were officers of some success although opposing camps. During the English civil war Thomas was a Colonel for the Royalist cause and his brother Edward even rose to the rank of Major-General in Cromwell's army.
Today this might seem a dastardly way for any government to conduct itself, but in the world of the 17th century these were accepted means of conducting naval war among European powers. Hence Henry Morgan was not an outlaw pirate but a sea-raider authorised by an English Letter of Marque.
Much about the legendary Sir Henry Morgan has become blurred by myth. Not even upon his birthplace can the historians decide. He was either born in 1635 in either Penkarne in Monmouth, England or Llanrhymny in Glamorgan, Wales. Though it is believed he spent his childhood in Wales and he and his family were indeed Welsh. As such his family appeared well versed in the art of warfare. Two of his uncles, Edward Morgan and Thomas Morgan were officers of some success although opposing camps. During the English civil war Thomas was a Colonel for the Royalist cause and his brother Edward even rose to the rank of Major-General in Cromwell's army.