Maritime Trade and Piracy |
The Spanish armada destroyed by Captaine Morgan.
From John Esquemeling (Alexandre Exquemelin), The Buccaneers of America (London: Swan Sonnenschein & Co., 1893).
14 x 20 cm.
Historical Museum of Southern Florida.
This attack took place in 1669 near Maracaibo on the Spanish Main. |
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Soon after their arrival in Jamaica in 1655, the English began mounting a defence of Port Royal against recapture by the Spanish. To protect the harbour, they hastily erected Fort Cromwell, which was renamed Fort Charles following the crowning of Charles II in 1660. By the time of the earthquake in 1692, an impressive array of forts and stone lines encircled Port Royal, making it one of the most heavily defended cities in the Caribbean.
In the years immediately following the English conquest, Jamaica remained vulnerable to Spanish attacks. Thus, Governor Edward D’Oyley enticed buccaneers, who were already preying on ships in the region, to occupy Port Royal and provide the city with maritime protection. Since the English government officially commissioned these pirates, they were known as ‘privateers’. The most infamous of the lot, Henry Morgan, was commissioned in 1668 and carried out several spectacular raids against Spanish fleets and ports. Though the Treaty of Madrid between England and Spain in 1670 abolished privateering, the practice continued surreptitiously. After being appointed the lieutenant-governor of Jamaica in 1674, Sir Henry Morgan apparently both suppressed and encouraged privateers. |
Bar shot.
17th century.
6.6 x 26.5 cm.
Institute of Jamaica, 1998/1303.
Fired from a cannon, bar shot revolved through the air and destroyed a target ship’s rigging or masts. |
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During the 1660s and 1670s, the privateers brought tremendous wealth into Port Royal in the form of Spanish silver, gold and precious stones. This wealth, in turn, allowed the residents of the city to carry out a flourishing trade in European staples and luxury goods—such as wines, sweet meats, refined clothing and jewellery—and to import porcelain from China and ivory from Africa. |
 German stoneware jug (Frechen).
17th century.
23.3 x 13.1 cm.
Institute of Jamaica, 1997/1417.
Pottery from the town of Frechen, near Cologne, was popular in England during the 17th century and was brought to Port Royal by English or Dutch traders. |
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 Spanish silver coins (clockwise from top):
8 reales (Lima),
4 reales (Potosi),
1 real (Potosi),
8 reales (Mexico).
17th century.
Approx. 3 cm.
Institute of Jamaica, 2006 1.99 (R), 1.106 (R), 1.105 (R), 1.103 (R).
‘Pieces of eight’ (8 reales) and smaller coins, minted in Spanish colonies, were the prevailing currency in the Caribbean during the 17th century. |
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English stoneware jar.
17th century.
16.3 x 9.7 cm.
Institute of Jamaica, 1997/1658.
Jars like this one were commonly used for household storage of preserves, oils and other edibles. |
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Delftware cup.
17th century.
6.3 x 8.8 cm.
Institute of Jamaica, 1998/0116.
Delftware, a type of tin-glazed earthenware, was manufactured in England during the 17th century and was widely used in Port Royal.
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Chinese porcelain teacup.
17th century.
7.2 x 7.1 cm.
Institute of Jamaica, 1998/0601.
Chinese porcelain was a luxury good in Port Royal. This cup is decorated with a common plum blossom motif. |
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Chinese porcelain ‘Lion of Fo’.
17th century.
13.3 x 5.0 cm.
Institute of Jamaica, 1996/0723.
This incense burner represents a Lion or Dog of Fo, a Buddhist temple guardian. |
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Next: Tradesmen and Their Crafts |
