Henry Morgan: King of the Buccaneers

Henry Morgan was one of the most succesful pirates - but was he really a pirate? Despite many rumours spun to his name, Morgan never attacked an enemy without a commission, treated his prisoners with dignity, and acted in the interest of Jamaica. He was a master tactician and a family man, and largely responsible for defending England's early colonialism. He deserves to be remembered as an English hero like Drake or Nelson - and in this video we'll discover why.
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Sources:
The Buccaneer King - Graham A. Thomas
The Buccaneers of America - Exquemelin
Admiral Sir Henry Morgan - Terry Breverton
0:00 Introduction
0:46 Early Life
2:36 Rise to Power
4:30 Puerto Principe
5:31 Puerto Bello
6:31 Lake Maracaibo
8:29 Brewing Storms
9:42 Panama
12:27 Imprisoned
14:36 Lieutenant-Governor
16:17 Exquemelin
18:36 Morgan's Personality
20:04 Death
22:03 Conclusion
23:10 Comment of the Week
#pirates #biography #henrymorgan

[@dullahan7677]

Ah, yes....Capt. Morgan....Evidently one of the best fighters the world has ever seen. Even 326 years after his death, he still managed to throw me head first into a deadbolt latch, knocking me unconscious and leaving me with thirteen stitches.

[@GoldandGunpowder]

he brings out the worst in us

[@sagebarnett9155]

😂

[@hapax-si2fd]

😂

[@harrietharlow9929]

😂

[@chairofox516]

Great video man. I’m a tour guide in Nassau (yes the pirate commonwealth) and your videos are helping give a real informative tour.

[@GoldandGunpowder]

Thank you

[@dekae2631]

Thank you for your touring service ✊

[@nonamernobrainer846]

If you're a tour guide and you have to rely on KZbin videos for information, you're a shit tour guide.

[@pigmentpeddler5811]

You should start pirating

[@kevaughnramsay9846]

@@nonamernobrainer846 Ok then

[@ostrowulf]

I find Morgan and Dampier to be extreemly interesting characters. The more I learn about them, the more I think a set of movies like what A&E did with the Hornblower books would be awesome. A movie on either would not do them justice, unless it was on a very specific part, like the Panama expidition for Morgan.

[@clevermcgenericname891]

Me at the bar: I won't get political 4 Rum Punches Later *THE RUM BOTTLE GUY IS A PRIVATEER NOT A PIRATE. I WILL BURN THIS PLACE TO THE GROUND!*

[@GoldandGunpowder]

yeah this is why i dont drink lmao

[@erikthepirate8068]

Sir Henry Morgan is one of my favorite Pirates!

[@GoldandGunpowder]

good choice

[@taffyducks544]

Other English heroes?! He was Welsh! Completely different culture and people. Wales was annexed to England by a Welsh bloodied King of England who gave them equal status as the English (they didn't just become English, it doesn't work like that). The Kingdom is now known as The Kingdom of England and Wales as of 1967.

[@GoldandGunpowder]

He is celebrated as an English national hero

[@Truetrep]

Great video as always. Lately, i developed an interest in music pirates might have enjoyed and the Instruments they played, espiacially because there is so much of wrong association. E.g. the concertina or even the akkordion almost always being used in „pirate music“ although they were invented about a century after the golden age of piracy.

[@GoldandGunpowder]

Thank you for your post, it's a very interesting topic, and very true on the accordion. Pirates definitely had musicians aboard, there are mentions of them in accounts, and in some pirate codes. They would play for entertainment but also to strike fear into their enemies: it was part of vapouring(a scare/morale tactic). Horns and drums were the most common instruments. I imagine that flutes would have been popular too, due to their simplicity. Violins aren't farfetched either and if not at sea, definitely in seedy taverns.

[@mageillus]

I like how in the movie “the Black Swan” the character that plays Henry Morgan looks exactly like in the picture!

[@GoldandGunpowder]

that is very cool

[@mageillus]

@@GoldandGunpowder I grew up watching the Spanish version but here’s the English version: kzbin.info/www/bejne/naioeGupetiWeLM

[@GoldandGunpowder]

I might give it a watch, I actually don't like pirate media that much lmao

[@Ambientpirates]

Aye, more wonderful content from the Pirate King himself.

[@GoldandGunpowder]

That means a lot from the master musician, thank you .)

[@harrietharlow9929]

I'm really liking this channel. I refer to it fondly as "Pirate Central".

[@ihn-90]

​@@harrietharlow9929"the complete encyclopedia on pirates"

[@harrietharlow9929]

@@ihn-90 That, too!

[@ihn-90]

@@harrietharlow9929 Aye lad..

[@Ravishrex1]

Would like to hear more about spansih pirates as well.

[@GoldandGunpowder]

i'd love to cover them, sadly i dont have much knowledge on them atm, aside from their general tactics and operations

[@thedictationofallah]

i would love to hear about more of ship of the lines

[@trangho5317]

@@GoldandGunpowder can make video about dutch pirate

[@cheshire4856]

@@thedictationofallah Or would it be Ship's of the Line? Also COMMENTS FOR THE ALGORITHM!

[@edwardneilloftheclanmacnei7057]

If Ruari the Turbulent was still alive and Captain Henry Morgan, they would have argued amongst each other about being king of Buccaneers. Both men were successful pirate Buccaneers in there own way and time line in history, they also have similar thing's in common. Though you can't beat Captain Morgans Rum, by the sound of it he had a bad liver disease.

[@GoldandGunpowder]

Back then, "Buccaneer" referred exclusively to pirate-privateers active in the Caribbean, that primarily operated on land and sacked cities. It wasn't a universal synonym for pirate. Morgan also HATED being called a buccaneer and would probably have been offended by this video.

[@AlgrenTheBlue]

Man i accidentally found your channel, and I love all these pirate videos. Thank you so much for taking the time to make these

[@jeremystern1471]

So glad to see the algorithm is starting to push you ahead I've been subscribed for a few months always great content. Keep it up

[@Ravishrex1]

Gold and Gunpowder delivered again.

[@GoldandGunpowder]

thank you captn

[@tulbadan2028]

Great video, I really enjoyed it! Keep up the good work!

[@M29WeaselDriver]

Another good video! Well done Sir!!!

[@slidecatch]

Wonderfully fun and informative!

[@sunandshadow6593]

One of many pirates: Captain Morgan there's too many of them, what are we going to do? Captain Sir Henry Morgan finds himself thinking hard, since Spain has sent many ships. Ghost of Sir Francis Drake to Sir Henry Morgan, with the force theme being played by a tone deaf pirate: Use the flame ship, young Morgan.

[@chairothefox9347]

Hey man I’m a Bahamian tour guide and I watch you’re videos pretty much every week for inspiration. U should make a trip over.

[@edwarddell3191]

Henry Morgan is I fact my ancestor, because of my Welsh heritage

[@tiptoptechno]

Well presented and interesting, thanks!

[@CODEXAMBROSIUS]

Great video!!! Very educational 😊

[@capuchinhelper]

"The other side wanted lasting peace with Spain" "CRINGE" Oh my god I am on the floor, absolutely fantastic!

[@justcallmeSmith]

I should not just now be finding this channel, but I'm glad I did

[@AlexanderosD]

Thanks to this, I now see Henry Morgan in a whole new light.

[@marcosmackie]

Love it!❤

[@ct1762]

7:00 just a little more info about the explosion: Morgan and his Lieutenants had a Junta aka counsel of war off Ile Vache near modern day Haiti before their raid. afterwards, they had a massive dinner and kept drinking. One of his stewards went below to fetch more wine on Morgans orders. LIT torch in one hand, he went into the rum store... but it was the powder magazine. he most likely panicked (completely drunk) and dropped the torch. 6 men survived out of 80 or so, Morgan among them.

[@GoldandGunpowder]

yeah all correct AFAIK, thanks

[@alexwest2573]

If only there was a sign above the door lmao

[@merafirewing6591]

Couldn't find much about Henry Morgan's ship. Sir Francis Drake: Chad Sir Henry Morgan: *Gigachad*

[@HandyMan657]

Very interesting, thanks.

[@Ravishrex1]

I like the sneak ins like 4 chan

[@mdathos4867]

Could you make a video about Roque Brasiliano? I know there is little information about him but it would be nice to have a video about the only known "Brazilian" pirate. Apart from that, great video!

[@GoldandGunpowder]

Maybe in the future, there are much more interesting rovers to cover before Roc

[@chrisnarbone4344]

Thanks for this video! If anyone wants to learn even more about Henry Morgan, checkout Cup of Gold by John Steinbeck...yes that John Steinbeck!

[@beowulf.reborn]

"Tricorns did not exist during Morgan's time." Yes they did. In fact, they were quite common by the 1660s.

[@TheRiverPirate13]

Always fun to watch your videos and so informative mate! I know the image of Captain Morgan on the rum bottle isn't historically accurate but I like the look of that version anyways! Lol! Diageo does a lot of great marketing of the exploits of Captain Morgan with rums & bottles that are unique. I have a bottle of Captain Morgan 1671 Rum that commemorates the loss of his ship "The Satisfaction" at the battle of Panama. The bottle design loosely reflects the time period too. Morgan's grave site is somewhere down in the briny deep in the ruins of Port Royal. Who knows, his grave site might be found one day! I do think though he would be more obscure to the general public historically if he wasn't marketed by the Rum company. I'm traveling to Jamaica in December but I'll be on the north coast not the south coast. Still I usually raise a glass of rum to Morgan and all the pirates that called Jamaica home!

[@GoldandGunpowder]

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the rum brand. I've never heard about Morgan ever having a ship named "The Satisfaction" or losing any ships at Panama. His fleet that sailed to Panama were unarmed, open-decked sailboats no bigger than barks or piraguas. No seacraft took part at the battle of Panama which was a land battle. Panama wasn't even located on the Caribbean coast of the Isthmus.

[@TheRiverPirate13]

@@GoldandGunpowder The archeologists from Texas State University found the what is believed to be the wreck of the ship “at the mouth of the Chagres River. It was supposedly his flag ship The Satisfaction. This discovery was back 2011. I think that is why the rum company came out with rum bottle! Lol!

[@TheRiverPirate13]

This river is in Panama.

[@vintagecapgunsatyourmomshouse]

I highly recommend covering Morgan's assault on Panama. There's some fascinating tactical discussion, covering pirate Wheelock muskets (Not matchlocks) And the actual assault is frankly breathtaking. Alexander Exquemelin is a fascinating if sometimes untrustworthy Morgan primary source. I highly recommend "Empire of Blue Water" by Talty If you haven't read it.

[@zacharylovelady9265]

That sound bite of an age of sail ship creaking in this video is absolutely from the game sid meiers: pirates! I know that sound well!

[@DIEGhostfish]

Raspberry soda? That sounds delicious

[@brookingsbeachcomber]

and i just thought he was the king of RUM

[@brookingsbeachcomber]

he has a nice collection of Sloops

[@brookingsbeachcomber]

amazing he sued them LOL!!!

[@GoldandGunpowder]

you're not wrong, he is largely responsible for the sugar/rum industry becoming so big

[@ezarky]

Awesome video! Do you have any book or article recommendations if I wanted to learn more about Captain Morgan? Or in general really

[@GoldandGunpowder]

check the sources in the video description

[@ezarky]

@@GoldandGunpowder haha thank you I should've checked there first thing

[@jplee4592]

The Buccaneer King by Dudly Pope is one of the best books. 👌

[@paulsteele8614]

Helping the algorithm

[@Wolf_Avery]

Many adventures have been had with this gentleman; though I dare not visit him or the parrot bay once more.

[@benugdsen75]

Drinking heavily and browsing 4Chan. It got me. 😂😂😂😂

[@LisaAnn777]

What a coincidence, im drinking his brand right now.

[@chrisschmitt2895]

Probably the oldest snuff box from recorded history. That’s badass

[@wickline5184]

good video

[@GoldandGunpowder]

cheers king

[@Sevenigma777]

Was that boat creaking sfx from Sid Meier's Pirates game?

[@MrJeep75]

Let's set sail with capt. Morgan

[@doc_holliday7884]

I have the belief that the character Captain Blood was inspired by Captain Morgan. In the book the event at lake Maracaibo is the exact same.

[@brockgrosso3262]

As an American every pirate is a hero

[@dtdtalktruth9734]

The real King of Pirates

[@ronaldgoldson8440]

"NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART "

[@dejabastian.12345]

Question What were the weapons he liked and also carried around alot😪.

[@GoldandGunpowder]

flintlock musket

[@elocxv]

Think of all the unknown legends that didn’t have squires…

[@hailmary2959]

Can you cover Stede Bonnet next?

[@GoldandGunpowder]

no he's overexposed on youtube, i want to cover sea rovers that dont get much coverage or get a lot of unfair coverage

[@hailmary2959]

@@GoldandGunpowder okay

[@pirategamer9127]

❤❤❤⛵

[@americansoccerunited]

"Browsing 4chan" lol 21:20

[@bularcaalexandru2530]

This is something I have always wondered, but I've never managed to find any info on this. On the bigger ships there are even 3 of those really luxurious decks on the stern of the ship. I figure that at least one must the captain's quarters, but what about all those other ones? They can't all be for the captain, that would be quite a waste of space, right? Also, love the videos, quite a shame you don't have as many viewers as you deserve - yet anyway :D

[@GoldandGunpowder]

you'd also have quarters for the officers

[@Dullahan161]

Excellent navigator? My ass. I just sailed I-5 with Captain Morgan and he made me crasb my Honda Civic into a Circle k

[@frogman-ns7yb]

I personally prefer the old sound system

[@peterswanson6816]

Theyre isa drink named after him. I loved it and thought captain morgan was just the name. Apparently not.

[@alycortesmilan1850]

Puerto principe está en Haití

[@kevinsabharwal1822]

JP Morgan was also related to Henry

[@rachdarastrix5251]

Spaniards on Hispaniola: "Ha haha! I love bullying Tanios!" Captain Henry Morgan: "Your turn!" Spaniards: "This isn't fair! What did we ever do to deserve this!"

[@joecombs7468]

✔

[@lmvath211]

Any stories of Pacific Buccaneers/Pirates?

[@GoldandGunpowder]

I have a video series on them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZ2Ug4yIbqZqr7s

[@lmvath211]

@@GoldandGunpowder perfect. I’m a pacific Mariner, SoCal. Cabo seems oddly void of much history also

[@funnelvortex7722]

Could you do a video dispelling common minor pirate myths (like the myth that golden age pirates sang sea shanties or the idea that every pirate flag was the skull and crossbones and the bullshit about the "pirate code"), or a video at one point comparing Golden Age piracy with modern piracy and the similarities/differences between golden age pirates and modern piracy (other than the obvious technology gap)?

[@GoldandGunpowder]

I have videos on the skull and xbones and pirate code, but I will most likely remake them in the future. Other than that I want to cover less-known history rather than playing whack-a-mole with myths, which I don't find very interesting. I don't intend to cover modern piracy either. Piracy in the colonies during the 1630-1730 timespan was so exclusive in world history compared to pirates in other periods, in the society they built, how they impacted history, and how the societal view of them changed. That and I don't know much about modern pirates either

[@GoldandGunpowder]

Thank you for your comments btw, I think they are very interesting to read

[@funnelvortex7722]

​@@GoldandGunpowder Thank you. Something I find interesting about colonial and Caribbean piracy is how it relates to the American mindset down the road leading up to the American revolution. Even though the American revolution didn't start up until 40 years after the Golden Age ended it shows how far back the idea of "independence" actually goes. For example, the colonies were already growing more distant from the crown by 1700 as the crown became more invested in India and dealing with France and Spain. The Caribbean and American colonial region was a wild frontier at the time where the ideas of self-governance actually began to take root, a lot of times pirates were able to have more power in a region than a governor or other crown-appointed official with little to no resistance simply because the average person could care less and enterprises often felt like they got better deals from the pirates than the "official" merchants. Raiding ships in the Caribbean and selling the goods in the colonies up north was a very profitable endeavor at the time. Even though the golden age was not at all a direct influencer of the revolution the "distant" mindset that allowed the Golden Age to occur eventually also allowed the American Revolution to occur decades later. I think it's telling how different pirates are seen in the modern US and UK. The US likes to view pirates as free-spirited rogues resisting tyranny while the UK likes to view them as bands of horrific brutish savages. Of course neither interpretation is historically correct, but these interpretations do show the long-term sociocultural influence and imprint the Golden Age had overall on the Atlantic world going forward. Hell, many major cities on the US East Coast take pride in the fact they had "their pirate guy" back in the colonial days and if American media features a pirate he's usually the hero, and if it's British media he's usually the villain.

[@sashakhan1262]

So privateers did board other privateers ships, it was just common pirates that didn’t?

[@GoldandGunpowder]

not common enough for me to know any instances of it

[@sashakhan1262]

But you mentioned Henry Morgan’s friend killing a Spanish privateer “during boarding action.”

[@GoldandGunpowder]

yeah because privateers were often commissioned to hunt pirates

[@sashakhan1262]

Thanks.

[@jonathanwilliams1065]

@@GoldandGunpowderand an enemy privateer is still a legitimate prize even without a license to hunt criminals of your own nation

[@lc1138]

Browsing 4chan is most certainly a cause of bad health.

[@peterlewis8040]

Like other English.....but he was Welsh. Born un Wales.

[@jonathanwilliams1065]

My ancestors

[@SvengelskaBlondie]

"Drinking heavily and browsing 4chan" Lulz, wonder what boards he would frequent. He might have been a fa/TG/uy, idk.

[@Underbottom.Sandydown]

yarr

[@ProjectRedfoot]

I dated a descendant of his. That's all. Cool story, right?

[@antonbrakhage490]

Its funny how Exquemelin calling Morgan a commoner is seen as a defamatory insult. Obviously that would have been the view then, but from a modern perspective I see nothing particularly admirable about the aristocracy of them- on the whole, a pack of slave holding tyrants enjoying wealth and privilege at the expense of those they deemed beneath them. None of which detracts from Morgan's skill as a commander, which even Exquemelin acknowledged. Edit: Also I wouldn't dismiss the rape allegation so quickly. That story might well be false, but given the low conviction rates for rape even in the modern day, the long history of rape of captured populations in war, and how different attitudes toward sex and consent were then, I'd honestly be surprised if the average buccaneer wasn't a rapist. Unfortunately, there may not be any way to say for sure here. We don't even have the account of the alleged victim, or their name. All we have is the word of one of Morgan's subordinates against the word of another.

[@GoldandGunpowder]

We can assume all we want, I don't like to assume. Based on what I know of the 17th century view on rape and sex, and Henry Morgan, and other buccaneers, I can say that it was a common enough(though not as common as we might think) occurance amongst buccaneers in general, but that Morgan had intentions against it. Considering his humane track record and behaviour in personal life, evidence points against it. This isn't very strange, military forces of the time often had strict moral codes on behaviour towards prisoners and occupied populations, even if these codes broke down during prolonged campaigns or during fierce civilian resistance.

[@GAIVSCALIGVLA]

Lmaooo the cringe

[@robnewman6101]

A Traitor!

[@fauxhound5061]

I can barely understand half the words you say