Who was Sir Henry Morgan?

Henry Morgan was many things throughout his lifetime,
but most of all, he is infamous for being one of the

most dangerous pirates who worked in the Spanish Main during the 1700's. Born sometime in 1635 in Llanrhymny, the Welsh county of Monmouthshire. He grew up as a farm boy but stories of his childhood are unclear of whether he willingly ran away or was kidnapped.

Lets begin with how Morgan's career of piracy
began. Sometime in 1655 young Henry Morgan befriended Captain Christopher Myngs who began taking Morgan along on expeditions. Throughout this
time is when Henry Morgan acquired the knowledge and
passion for sailing.

In 1662 Henry Morgan put his practice to the test and became the captain of a small vessel. During his years as a respected Captain, Morgan became close with the Governor of Jamaica. This friendship is noteworthy because Sir Thomas Modyford granted Morgan his first letter of Marque in 1664, which gave him permission to sail as a Privateer.

This is what monumentally set off the history

surrounding Sir Henry Morgan. During his Privateership, in 1663 Morgan led a raid on Villahermosa and plundered Gran Granada in Nicaragua. After a few victories he returned to Jamaica in 1665 as an established, formidable military leader. And with the passing of Edward Mansfield, Morgan became his successor as Admiral of the Brethren of the Coast. The Brethren of the Coast came to be historically known as the Buccaneers.

Following Morgan's newfound leadership of the Buccaneers, he began to plot on the city of Portobello. What is now known as Panama, Portobello was the main route of trade on the Spanish Main. Which meant that there was many riches in store for Morgan and his men if they were able to capture the city.

After detailed planning, he attacked and conquered the city of Puerto Principe and Porto Bello in 1668. This victory came after the defeat of 3000 Spaniard soldiers. And it earned him hundreds of thousands in money and a great worth of valuables. The conquer of Portobello was one of Henry Morgan's most successful operations.

Henry Morgan had many victories throughout his career, but he also sustained many losses as well. After his servitude and successions as an Admiral of the Buccaneers, Morgan was hailed as a hero. Henry Morgan returned to Jamaica later on and was appointed to serve as the country's Lieutenant Governor. Until August 25th 1688 when he died of liver failure and other health-related complications.



Sources: (Under the Black Flag by David Cordingly), (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Henry-Morgan-Welsh-buccaneer)