For all the romantic mythology surrounding the court of Queen Elizabeth I, the financial underpinning of the reign of 'Gloriana' was decidedly sordid. Elizabeth's policy of seizing foreign assets made her popular at home but drew her into a public/private partnership with pirates who preyed on the state's foes and friends alike, being rewarded or punished depending on how much of a cut the Queen received, rather than the legitimacy of their action. For this reason the rule of law at sea was arbitrary, and almost non-existent. Even those, such as the Lord Admiral and the Court of Admiralty, who.

Protestants in pursuit of profit -- Apprentice to a pirate -- Pirate ships of war at sea -- Arms and actions -- Piracy in the Pacific -- The American dream -- The Azores and the first battle of the Atlantic -- A preference for pirates: the failure of the Spanish Armada -- The land rats -- The duke's denial -- Disturbing the world -- Low water -- Appendices: Letters of reprisal and bonds for good behaviour, 1591-95 -- Commission issued by Queen Elizabeth to the Early of Cumberland, 28 March 1595 -- John Donne, 'The storm' and 'The calm', 1600 -- Inventory of Malice Scourge, 1600 -- Estimated costs of equipping a pirate vessel -- Authorisation to equip a vessel of war under the admiralty of Zealand, 1582 -- Tennyson, 'The little Revenge, A ballad of the fleet' -- Cargo unloaded at Seville, 1593 -- The appraisement of prizes -- Notes from state papers concerning piracy, 1578 -- Complaints of the Dutch concerning English piracy, 1589.