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Welcome to our podcast on the infamous pirate Bartholomew Roberts, also known as Black Bart. Today, we'll delve into the life and exploits of one of the most successful pirates in history, whose brief but impactful career left an indelible mark on the Golden Age of Piracy. Born John Roberts in 1682 in Casnewydd-Bach, Wales, the man who would become known as Bartholomew Roberts began his seafaring career as an honest sailor. Little is known about his early life, but it's believed he went to sea at a young age, as was common for many Welsh boys of his time. Roberts' life took a dramatic turn in 1719 when the ship he was serving on as second mate was captured by pirates off the coast of Africa. The pirate captain who captured Roberts' ship was none other than Howell Davis, a fellow Welshman. Davis, impressed by Roberts' navigational skills, convinced him to join the pirate crew. This decision would set Roberts on a path to become one of the most notorious pirates in history. Roberts' transition from honest sailor to pirate was swift, and his rise within the pirate ranks was even swifter. Just six weeks after joining Davis' crew, a pivotal moment occurred that would catapult Roberts to pirate captaincy. The crew had anchored off the Portuguese island of Príncipe, where Captain Davis was lured ashore and killed in an ambush. The loss of their captain left the pirate crew in disarray, but it also presented an opportunity. In a surprising turn of events, the crew elected Roberts as their new captain, despite his short tenure as a pirate. This rapid ascension speaks volumes about Roberts' charisma, intelligence, and natural leadership abilities. Upon assuming command, Roberts famously declared, "It is better to be a commander than a common man," setting the tone for his ambitious and successful career as a pirate captain. Roberts' first act as captain was to avenge the death of Howell Davis. He led his crew in a daring raid on Príncipe, catching the Portuguese defenders off guard. The pirates sacked the town, exacting their revenge and securing their first significant prize under Roberts' leadership. This bold action not only avenged their fallen captain but also cemented Roberts' position as the new leader. With his position secure, Roberts set out to make a name for himself in the pirate world. He quickly proved to be an exceptional strategist and a fearless commander. One of his most famous exploits came in 1719 when he captured the Sagrada Familia, a Portuguese treasure ship carrying a fortune in gold, jewels, and religious artifacts. This single capture netted Roberts and his crew an enormous prize, equivalent to millions of dollars in today's currency. The capture of the Sagrada Familia was a turning point in Roberts' career. It provided him with the resources to expand his fleet and attract more men to his cause. Roberts used this newfound wealth and power to establish himself as one of the most formidable pirates of his time. Roberts' success came during a tumultuous period in maritime history. The early 18th century was marked by constant conflict between European powers, with much of the fighting taking place at sea. This created an environment ripe for piracy, as nations often turned a blind eye to pirates who targeted their enemies' ships. Roberts took full advantage of this political climate, playing different nations against each other and exploiting the chaos of war to further his own goals. As Roberts' reputation grew, so did his ambition. In 1720, he set his sights on Newfoundland, a bold move that would take him far from the usual pirate hunting grounds of the Caribbean and West Africa. Roberts' voyage to Newfoundland was a daring expedition that demonstrated his skill as a navigator and his willingness to take risks. During this northern campaign, Roberts and his crew raided Canso, Nova Scotia, capturing a number of ships and terrorizing the local fishing communities. This raid was particularly significant as it showed Roberts' ability to operate successfully in unfamiliar waters and against targets that were not typically associated with pirate attacks. Roberts' success in Newfoundland further enhanced his reputation and attracted even more men to his banner. By this point, he had amassed a sizable fleet, with multiple ships under his command. This gave him the ability to conduct large-scale operations and take on more formidable targets. One of Roberts' most audacious acts came in 1720 when he captured Florimond Hurault de Montigny, the Governor of Martinique. This bold move was not just a demonstration of Roberts' power, but also a calculated political statement. By capturing such a high-ranking official, Roberts was directly challenging the authority of the European powers in the Caribbean. Throughout his career, Roberts demonstrated a keen understanding of the political landscape in which he operated. He often played different nations against each other, exploiting rivalries and ...